Method and apparatus for using a portable drill

ABSTRACT

A drill guide that includes associated components and various methods of use herein. The drill guide includes a first guide column and a second guide column provided on a base plate. The drill guide also includes a chuck carrier adapted to operatively receive a drill chuck of a portable drill. The chuck carrier is operably engaged with the first guide column and the second guide column, and the chuck carrier is linearly moveable along the first guide column and the second guide column between a return position and a plunging position relative to the base plate. The drill guide also includes a tapered portion defined in the first guide column. The drill guide also includes a depth stopper that is operably engaged with the first guide column, wherein the tapered portion enables self-tightening of the depth stopper about the first guide column.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to a multipurpose tool. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to a portable drill guide.Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a portable drill guidethat is useable to enable a user to more accurately use a portable drillto drill a hole into a workpiece in a controlled straight line.

BACKGROUND

Hand drills, handheld drills, and portable power drills are versatiletools which are used in multiple projects for drilling holes intodifferent types of workpiece, such as wood workpieces. Generally,portable power drills are used in woodworking projects for drillingand/or boring holes of different dimensions based on the selecteddrilling bit used with a selected portable power the drill. While awoodworker may use a portable power drill to drill various types ofholes in workpieces, it is difficult and demanding to drill precise andaccurate holes into a workpiece where the holes are substantiallystraight and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece.

To address these difficulties and problems, a woodworker may select adevice or multiple devices to help stabilize and guide his or herportable power drill during a drilling operation. While such assistingdevices are provided in the market, the woodworker may have to use anumber of different devices to drill different precise holes into aworkpiece. For example, the woodworker may have to use a first set ofassisting devices with the portable power drill for drilling a firsthole with a first set of dimensions and a second set of assistingdevices with the portable power drill for drilling a second hole with asecond set of dimensions. In another example, the woodworker may have touse a first set of assisting devices with the portable power drill fordrilling a first hole that is located in a center of a workpiece and asecond set of assisting devices with the portable power drill fordrilling a second hole at a location away from the center of aworkpiece. Such use of multiple assisting devices requires thewoodworker to have access to these various assisting devices andrequires the expenditure of more time and effort when the woodworker isdrilling multiple holes into a workpiece.

SUMMARY

The presently disclosed drill guide provides a woodworker with amultifunctional tool which may be used for adjusting and aligning aportable drill in order to make a straight hole in a workpiece at adesired location and to a desired depth. The disclosed drill guide mayreduce the overall number of portable drill assisting devices that awoodworker has to use to complete a project and may also the reduce theproject's completion time since the need to switch between multipledevices is avoided. As such, the drill guide disclosed herein addressessome of the inadequacies of previously known drill assisting devices.

In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure mayprovide drill guide. The drill guide may include a base plate. The drillguide may also include a first guide column and a second guide columnprovided on the base plate. The drill guide may also include a chuckcarrier adapted to operatively receive a drill chuck of a portabledrill. The chuck carrier is operably engaged with the first guide columnand the second guide column where the chuck carrier is linearly moveablealong the first guide column and the second guide column between areturn position and a plunging position relative to the base plate. Thedrill guide may also include a tapered portion defined in the firstguide column. The drill guide may also include a depth stopper operablyengaged with the first guide column where the tapered portion enablesself-tightening of the depth stopper about the first guide column.

This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furtherprovide that the tapered portion further comprises a first diameterdefined at a first end of the tapered portion; and a second diameterdefined at a second end of the tapered portion that is greater than thefirst diameter, wherein the tapered portion is adapted to provide aself-tightening mechanism for the depth stopper about the first guidecolumn when the chuck carrier moves towards the opening. This exemplaryembodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide a biaserprovided with the second guide column for returning the chuck carrier tothe return position. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplaryembodiment may further provide that at least one lock knob is operablyengaged with one of the first guide column and the second guide column,and the at least one lock knob retains the chuck carrier on the one ofthe first guide column and the second guide column. This exemplaryembodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide that thebase plate further comprises a top surface and an opposed bottom surfacewhich extend between a front end and an opposed rear end. This exemplaryembodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide that anopening is defined in the base plate where the opening extends betweenthe top surface and the bottom surface and wherein the opening isadapted to receive a drilling bit provided on the chuck carriertherethrough. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodimentmay further provide that the chuck carrier further comprises a chuck,and wherein the chuck is aligned with the opening of the base plate in afirst position. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplaryembodiment may further provide that the chuck carrier further comprisesa chuck, wherein the chuck is located outwardly away from the base platein a second position. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplaryembodiment may further provide that the opening of the base plate isadapted to receive a drilling bit having a diameter of up to about oneinch. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment mayfurther provide that the chuck of the chuck carrier is adapted to engagea drilling bit having a diameter of up to about two inches when thechuck is in the second position. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further provide that the base plate furthercomprises a first side and an opposed second side, and wherein a grooveis defined in the base plate disposed between the first side and thesecond side and extends from the top surface towards the bottom surfaceand the groove is adapted to receive a curvilinear workpiece therein.This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furtherprovide that at least one centering pin is selectively operativelyengageable with the base plate, where the at least one centering pin ismovable between a first stored position on a top surface of the baseplate and a first centering position on a bottom surface of the baseplate. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment mayfurther provide that the at least one centering pin comprises a firstcentering pin and a second centering pin; the second centering pin isselectively operatively engageable with the base plate between a secondstored position on the top surface of the base plate remote from thefirst centering pin and a second centering position on the bottomsurface of the base plate remote from the first centering pin; whereinthe first centering pin and second centering pin are adapted to align aworkpiece with a chuck of the chuck carrier. This exemplary embodimentor another exemplary embodiment may further provide that a fence isadapted to abut an outermost edge of a workpiece and at least one guiderod, wherein the at least one guide rod operably engages the fence tothe base plate. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplaryembodiment may further provide that the chuck carrier is adapted toengage a drilling bit therein and the at least one guide rod maintainsthe fence a distance away from the drilling bit. This exemplaryembodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide a fence;and at least one guide rod, wherein the at least one guide rod operablyengages the fence to the base plate, and wherein a top surface of thefence is disposed adjacent to a bottom surface of the base plate. Thisexemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further providea support rod operatively engaged with the base plate; a flip stopoperatively engaged with the support rod, said flip stop having a stoparm; wherein the support rod maintains the flip stop a distance awayfrom the drilling bit; wherein the at least one guide rod extendsbetween a front end of the base plate and a rear end of the fence; andwherein the stop arm is orthogonal to the rear end of the fence.

In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment may provide a method of usinga portable drill with a drill guide. The method comprising steps ofoperably engaging a drilling bit into a chuck of a chuck carrier of thedrill guide; aligning a set of witness lines on a workpiece with guidemarkers provided on a base plate of the drill guide; setting a depthstopper to a desired height on a tapered portion of a first guide columnof the drill guide; operably engaging a drill chuck of the portabledrill with the chuck of the chuck carrier; collectively moving theportable drill and the chuck carrier along the first guide columntowards an opening defined by the base plate; self-tightening the depthstopper about the first guide column as the chuck carrier moves towardsthe opening; and drilling a hole into the workpiece with the drillingbit.

This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furtherprovide the step of collectively moving the portable drill and the chuckcarrier away from the base plate via a biaser provided on a second guidecolumn of the drill guide. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further provide steps of rotating the chuckcarrier from a first position where the drilling bit aligns with theopening in the base plate to a second position where the drilling bit islocated outwardly away from the base plate; disengaging the drilling bitfrom the chuck carrier; and engaging another drilling bit of a greaterdiameter with the chuck carrier. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further provide steps of removing a first lockknob from the first guide column of the drill base when the chuckcarrier is in the first position; disengaging the chuck carrier from thefirst guide column; rotating the chuck carrier to the second position;reengaging the chuck carrier in the second position with the first guidecolumn; and operably engaging the first lock knob with the first guidecolumn to maintain the chuck carrier in the second position. Thisexemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further providethe steps of removing a first centering pin from a first stored positionon a top surface of the base plate; removing a second centering pin froma second stored position on the top surface of the base plate; operablyengaging the first centering pin at a bottom surface of the base platein a first centering position; operably engaging the second centeringpin at the bottom surface of the base plate in a second centeringposition; and locating the workpiece between the first centering pin andthe second centering pin on the bottom surface of the base plate. Thisexemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further providethe step of positioning a workpiece into a groove defined by the baseplate, wherein the workpiece defines a curvilinear shape. This exemplaryembodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide steps ofoperably engaging at least one guide rod with a first end of the baseplate; operably engaging a fence with the at least one guide rod; andpositioning a top surface of the fence adjacent to a bottom surface ofthe base plate. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplaryembodiment may further provide steps of operably engaging at least oneguide rod with a first end of the base plate; operably engaging a fencewith the at least one guide rod; positioning the fence a first distanceaway from the drilling bit; and abutting a rear end of the fence to afirst outermost edge of the workpiece. This exemplary embodiment oranother exemplary embodiment may further provide steps of operablyengaging a support rod with a first side of the base plate; operablyengaging a flip stop with the support rod; positioning the flip stop ata second distance away from the drilling fence; and abutting a stop armof the flip stop to a second outermost edge of the workpiece, whereinthe stop arm is orthogonal to the rear end of the fence.

In yet another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosuremay provide another drill guide. The drill guide may include a baseplate. The drill guide may also include at least one guide column thatis provided on the base plate. The drill guide may also include a chuckcarrier that is operably engaged with the at least one guide column andbeing linearly moveable relative to the base plate, wherein the chuckcarrier is adapted to engage a portable drill. The drill guide may alsoinclude a fence assembly that is operably engagable with the base plateThe fence assembly is adapted to collectively maintain the base plate,the at least one guide column, the chuck carrier, and the portable drillat a predetermined location on a workpiece.

This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furtherprovide that the base plate further comprises a front wall and anopposed rear wall, a first side wall, and an opposed second side wall;and wherein the fence assembly is selectively operatively engageablewith the base plate at one of the front wall, the rear wall, the firstside wall, and the second side wall. This exemplary embodiment oranother exemplary embodiment may further provide that the fence assemblyfurther comprises a fence and at least one guide rod which operablyengages the fence to the base plate, and maintains the fence a distanceaway from the base plate. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplaryembodiment may further provide that the fence is engaged with the atleast one guide rod and is selectively movable between a first end ofthe at least one guide rod and a second end of the at least one guiderod. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment mayfurther provide that the fence comprises a plate and a step. The platehas a front end, an opposed rear end, a longitudinal axis that extendsbetween the front end and the rear end, and the plate further has a topsurface and an opposed bottom surface. The step extends outwardly fromthe top surface of the plate and includes an upper surface remote fromthe top surface of the plate. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further provide that the rear end of the platefaces the base plate, and wherein the at least one guide rod extendsbetween the rear end of the plate and the front end of the base plate.This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furtherprovide that the upper surface of the plate and a top surface of thebase plate both face in a same direction. This exemplary embodiment oranother exemplary embodiment may further provide that the upper surfaceof the plate and a top surface of the base plate face in oppositedirections. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodimentmay further provide that the top surface of the plate faces a bottomsurface of the base plate. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further provide that the bottom surface of theplate is orthogonal to a top surface of the base plate. This exemplaryembodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide a firstassembly that is operatively engaged with the base plate and is adaptedto retain the base plate in a longitudinal position relative to a firstedge of a workpiece; and a second assembly that is operatively engagedwith the base plate and is adapted to retain the base plate in atransverse position relative to a second edge of the workpiece, whereinthe first assembly and the second assembly are orthogonal to oneanother.

In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment may provide method of guidinga portable drill. The method comprising steps of operably engaging theportable drill to a drill guide; engaging at least one guide rod to abase plate of the drill guide; placing the base plate of the drill guideon a workpiece; engaging a fence of the drill guide with the at leastone guide rod; positioning the fence against the workpiece; andmaintaining a drilling bit on the drill guide at a predeterminedlocation on the workpiece.

This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furtherprovide that the step of placing of the base plate of the drill guide onthe workpiece includes placing the base plate on a top surface of theworkpiece; wherein the positioning of the fence against the workpieceincludes placing a rear end of the fence on a side surface of theworkpiece that is substantially perpendicular to the top surface of theworkpiece; and positioning the fence at a distance away from thedrilling bit via the at least one guide rod. This exemplary embodimentor another exemplary embodiment may further provide that the step ofplacing of the base plate of the drill guide on the workpiece includesplacing the base plate on a top surface of the workpiece; wherein thepositioning of the fence against the workpiece includes placing a frontend of the fence on a side surface of the workpiece that issubstantially perpendicular to the top surface of the workpiece; andpositioning a portion of a top surface of the fence adjacent to a bottomsurface of the base plate. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further provide that the step of placing of thebase plate of the drill guide on the workpiece includes placing the baseplate on a top surface of the workpiece; placing an upper surface of thefence on the top surface of the workpiece; and positioning the fence adistance away from the drilling bit via the at least one guide rod. Thisexemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further providethat the step of placing of the base plate of the drill guide on theworkpiece includes placing the base plate on a side surface of theworkpiece; wherein the positioning of the fence against the workpieceincludes placing a bottom surface of the fence on the top surface of theworkpiece; and positioning the fence a distance away from the drillingbit via the at least one guide rod.

In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment may provide method of guidinga portable drill. The method comprising steps of engaging a firstassembly with a base plate of a drill guide; placing the base plate on asurface of a workpiece; retaining the base plate in a longitudinalposition relative to a first edge of the workpiece, wherein the firstedge is orthogonal to the surface of the workpiece; orienting a secondassembly orthogonally to the first assembly; engage the second assemblywith the base plate of the drill guide; and retaining the base plate ina transverse position relative to a second edge of the workpiece,wherein the second edge is orthogonal to the first edge.

This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furtherprovide locating a drilling bit of the drill guide at a predeterminedlocation on the surface of the workpiece; rotating the drilling bit; anddrilling a hole into the workpiece along a straight line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Sample embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth in thefollowing description, are shown in the drawings and are particularlyand distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a top, front, right side isometric perspective view of a drillguide in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, whereinthe drill guide is illustrated operatively engaged with a fence assemblyin accordance with a further aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top, front, right side isometric perspective view of a drillguide in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, wherein afirst centering pin and a second centering are provided in an isometricexploded view from the drill guide. The fence assembly is removed.

FIG. 2A is an enlargement of the highlighted region in FIG. 2, wherein afirst locking knob and a second locking knob are provided in an isolatedexploded view from the drill guide.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-section of a chuck carrier of the drillguide taken in the direction of line 3-3 of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the drill guide of FIG. 2, whereinthe chuck carrier is provided in a first position.

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of the drill guide of FIG. 2, whereinthe chuck carrier is provided in the first position.

FIG. 6 is a right side elevation view of the drill guide of FIG. 2,wherein the chuck carrier is provided in the first position.

FIG. 7 is a left side elevation view of the drill guide of FIG. 2,wherein the chuck carrier is provided in the first position.

FIG. 8 is a transverse cross-section of first and second guide columnstaken in the direction of line 8-8 of FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is also a top planview of a base plate and the first and second centering pin of the drillguide.

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the drill guide, wherein the chuckcarrier is provided in the first position.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-section of the drill guide taken in thedirection of line 10-10 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is a top, front, right isometric perspective view of a fence ofthe fence assembly, wherein a pair of thumb screws of the fence areprovided in an isometric exploded view from the fence.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross-section of the fence taken in thedirection of line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a top, front, right isometric perspective view of a guide rodof the fence assembly.

FIG. 14A is a top, front, right isometric perspective view of the drillguide resting on a workpiece, wherein a drilling bit is operativelyengaged with the drill guide, and wherein first and second guide rods ofthe fence assembly are operably engaged with the drill guide.

FIG. 14B is a top, front, right isometric perspective view similar toFIG. 14A showing the drill guide resting on the workpiece, wherein guidemarkers of the drill guide are aligned with a set of witness linesscribed on the workpiece.

FIG. 14C is a top, front, right isometric perspective view similar toFIG. 14B showing the drill guide resting on the workpiece, wherein thefence is operably engaged with the first and second guide rods and arear end of the fence abuts an outermost end of the workpiece.

FIG. 14D is a top, front, right isometric perspective view similar toFIG. 14C but only showing a portable power drill operatively engaged toa hex bit of the chuck carrier of the drill guide.

FIG. 14E is a top, front, right isometric perspective view similar toFIG. 14D showing the portable power drill and the chuck carrier of thedrill guide in operation moving and rotating the drilling bit into theworkpiece for drilling a hole.

FIG. 14F is a top, front, right isometric perspective view similar toFIG. 14E showing a biaser of the drill guide in operation of moving the,drilling bit, the portable power drill, and the chuck carrier of thedrill guide away from base plate after drilling a hole into theworkpiece.

FIG. 15 is a right side elevation view showing the drill guide and thefence assembly with the workpiece, wherein the rear end of the fenceabuts the outermost end of the workpiece as shown in FIG. 14C.

FIG. 16 is a top, front, right isometric perspective view of theportable power drill and the chuck carrier of the drill guide inoperation moving and rotating the drilling bit into the workpiece fordrilling a hole, wherein a top surface of the fence abuts a top surfaceof the workpiece.

FIG. 17 is a right side elevation view of drill guide and the fenceassembly, wherein the top surface of the fence abuts the top surface ofthe workpiece as shown to FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a top, front, right isometric perspective view of theportable power drill and the chuck carrier of the drill guide inoperation moving and rotating the drilling bit into the workpiece fordrilling a hole, wherein a front end of the fence abuts an outermost endof the workpiece and a portion of a top surface of the fence is beneatha bottom surface of the base plate of the drill guide.

FIG. 19 is a right side elevation view of drill guide and the fenceassembly, wherein a front end of the fence abuts an outermost end of theworkpiece and a portion of a top surface of the fence is beneath abottom surface of the base plate of the drill guide as shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a top, front, right isometric perspective view of theportable power drill and the chuck carrier of the drill guide inoperation moving and rotating the drilling bit into the workpiece fordrilling a hole, wherein a bottom surface of the fence abuts anoutermost end of the workpiece.

FIG. 21 is a right side elevation view of drill guide and the fenceassembly, wherein the bottom surface of the fence abuts the outermostend of the workpiece as shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a right side elevation view of the drill guide similar toFIG. 6, but the chuck carrier is provided in a second position.

FIG. 23 is a top, front, right isometric perspective view of theportable power drill and the chuck carrier of the drill guide inoperation moving and rotating the drilling bit into the workpiece fordrilling a hole, wherein the workpiece is curvilinear-shaped and ismaintained on the base plate of the drill guide.

FIG. 24A is a top, front, right isometric perspective view of one of thecentering pins in operation moving and disengaging from the top surfaceof the base plate of the drill guide via one of the locking knobs.

FIG. 24B is a bottom, rear, left isometric perspective view of one ofthe centering pins in operation moving and engaging to the bottomsurface of the base plate of the drill guide via one of the lockingknobs.

FIG. 25A is a transverse cross-section of first and second guidecolumns; FIG. 25A is also a top plan view of the drill guide resting ona workpiece, wherein the first and second centering pins are abuttingfirst and second outermost sides of the workpiece at first locations.

FIG. 25B is a transverse cross-section of first and second guide columnssimilar to FIG. 25A; FIG. 25B is also a top plan view similar to FIG.25A showing the drill guide resting on a workpiece, wherein the drillguide is rotated about its vertical axis where the first and secondcentering pins are abutting first and second outermost sides of theworkpiece at second, opposing locations.

FIG. 26 is a top, front, right isometric perspective view of a guide rodof a flip stop assembly.

FIG. 27 is a top, front, right, isometric perspective view of anextension rod of the flip stop assembly.

FIG. 28 is a top, front, right isometric perspective view of a flip stopof the flip stop assembly.

FIG. 29 is a top, rear, left isometric perspective view of the flip stopof the flip stop assembly in FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is longitudinal cross-section of the flip stop taken in thedirection of line 30-30 of FIG. 28.

FIG. 31A is a partial exploded view of the flip stop assembly, whereinthe fence assembly is operably engaged to the drill guide.

FIG. 31B is a partial top, front, right isometric perspective view ofthe flip stop assembly and the fence assembly operably engaged to thedrill guide.

FIG. 32A is a top, front, right isometric perspective view of the flipstop assembly and the fence assembly operably engaged to the drillguide, wherein a first flip stop of the flip stop assembly and the fenceof the fence assembly abut the workpiece, and wherein the portable powerdrill and the chuck carrier of the drill guide in operation moving androtating the drilling bit into the workpiece for drilling a first hole.

FIG. 32B is a top, front, right isometric perspective view similar toFIG. 32B showing a biaser of the drill guide in operation of moving theportable power drill and the chuck carrier of the drill guide away frombase plate after drilling the first hole into the workpiece, wherein astop arm of the first flip stop is rotated away from the workpiece.

FIG. 32C is a top, front, right isometric perspective view similar toFIG. 32B showing the flip stop assembly and the fence assembly operablyengaged to the drill guide, wherein a second flip stop of the flip stopassembly and the fence of the fence assembly abut the workpiece, andwherein the portable power drill and the chuck carrier of the drillguide in operation moving and rotating the drilling bit into theworkpiece for drilling a second hole.

FIG. 32D is a top, front, right isometric perspective view similar toFIG. 32C showing the flip stop assembly and the fence assembly operablyengaged to the drill guide, wherein a third flip stop of the flip stopassembly and the fence of the fence assembly abut the workpiece, andwherein the portable power drill and the chuck carrier of the drillguide in operation moving and rotating the drilling bit into theworkpiece for drilling a third hole.

FIG. 33 illustrates an exemplary method flow chart for using a portablepower drill with a drill guide.

FIG. 34 illustrates an exemplary method flow chart for guiding aportable drill guide.

FIG. 35 illustrated another exemplary method flow char for guiding aportable drill guide.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a drill guide, shown generally at 1, for use with ahand drill or a portable drill, which is described in more detail below.Drill guide 1 generally includes a front end 1A, a rear end 1B thatopposes the front end 1A, and a longitudinal axis “X” that extendsbetween the front end 1A and the rear end 1B. Drill guide 1 alsogenerally includes a left side or first side 1C, a right side or secondside 1D that opposes the left side 1C, and a transverse axis “Y” thatextends between the left side 1C and the right side 1D. Drill guide 1generally includes a top end 1E, a bottom end 1F that opposes the topend 1E, and a vertical axis “Z” that extends between the top end 1E andthe bottom end 1F. It should be understood that the terms “front,”“rear,” “left,” “right,” “top,” and “bottom” are used to describe theorientation of drill guide 1 illustrated in the attached figures andshould in no way be considered to limit the orientation in which drillguide 1 may be utilized during a drilling operation.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the drill guide 1 includes a base plate 10, atleast one guide column 12, a chuck carrier 14, a depth stopper 16, abiaser 18, at least one lock knob 20, and a pair of centering pins 22.Still referring to FIG. 1, a fence assembly or first assembly 200 may beoperably engaged the drill guide 1 as desired by a woodworker when usingthe drill guide 1 during a drilling operation. Referring now to FIG.31B, a flip stop assembly or a second assembly 300 may also operablyengage the drill guide 1 as desired by a woodworker when using the drillguide 1 during a drilling operation. Such use of the fence assembly 200and the flip stop assembly 300 is described in more detail later herein.

The various components of drill guide 1 will now each be described ingreater detail. Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the base plate 10includes a front end 30A, a rear end 30B that opposes the front end 30A,and a longitudinal axis between the front end 30A and the rear end 30B.The longitudinal axis of base plate 10 is aligned with the longitudinalaxis “X” of drill guide 1. The base plate 10 also includes a left sideor first side 30C, a right side or second side 30D that opposes the leftside 30C, and a transverse axis between the left side 30C to the rightside 30D. The transverse axis of base plate 10 is aligned with thetransverse axis “Y” of drill guide 1. The base plate 10 also includes atop surface 30E that faces the top end 1E of the drill guide 1 andextends from the front end 30A to the rear end 30B of the base plate 10.The base plate 10 also includes a bottom surface 30F (seen in FIG. 9)that faces the bottom end 1F of the drill guide 1 and extends from thefront end 30A to the rear end 30B of the base plate 10. The verticalaxis of base plate 10 extends between the top surface 30E and bottomsurface 30F of the base plate 10 and is aligned with the vertical axis“Z” of drill guide 1.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the base plate 10 defines a centralopening 32 that is disposed between the front end 30A and the rear end30B of the base plate 10 and extends between top surface 30E and bottomsurface 30F of base plate 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the centralopening 32 defined by the base plate 10 is curvilinear and/or round inshape. In one exemplary embodiment, a central opening defined by a baseplate may be substantially elongated such that the central openingdefined by the base plate is oblong-shaped. In another exemplaryembodiment, a central opening defined by a base plate may besubstantially elongated such that the central opening defined by thebase plate is ovoidal. Furthermore, the central opening 32 may be anysuitable shape that will enable different types of drilling bits ofdifferent diameters and lengths to be received therethrough, inparticular drilling bits up to diameters of one inch.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8, the central openings 32 is also defined in arecess 33. The recess 33 is bounded by a first circumferential wall 34extending from the top surface 30E to a flat intermediate wall 36disposed between the top surface 30E and the bottom surface 30F. Inaddition, the recess 33 is also bounded by an angled bottom wall 38 thatextends from the flat intermediate wall 36 to a second circumferentialwall 40 that is disposed proximate to the bottom surface 30F of the baseplate 10.

As clearly illustrated in FIG. 8, a set of guide markers 42 are providedon the angle bottom wall 30 in which first and second guide marker arealigned with one another parallel with the longitudinal axis of the baseplate 10 and third and fourth guide marker are aligned with one anotherparallel with the transverse axis of the base plate 10. The guidemarkers 42 on the base plate 10 allows a woodworker to align the guidemarkers 42 of the drill guide 1 with a set of witness lines provided ona workpiece for accurately positioning the drill guide 1 with apredetermined drilling location. Such use of guide markers 42 of thedrill guide 1 during a drilling operation is provided in more detailbelow.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 8, the base plate 10 defines a groove44 that extends downwardly from the top surface 30E and into the baseplate 10 towards the bottom surface 30F. The groove 44 is also disposedbetween the left end 30C and the right end 30D of the base plate 10parallel with the transverse axis of the base plate 10. In theillustrated embodiment, the groove 44 defined by the base plate 10 has atapered-shape. In one exemplary embodiment, a groove defined by a baseplate may be substantially triangular and/or V-shaped. In anotherexemplary embodiment, a groove defined by a base plate may besubstantially trapezoidal. The groove 44 defined by the base plate 10allows a woodworker to introduce a curvilinear and/or rounded workpiece(e.g., dowel rod, tapered rods, etc.) to the groove 44 such that thegroove 44 of the base plate 10 prevents rotational movement of saidcurvilinear and/or rounded workpiece during a drilling process. Such useof the groove 44 defined by the base plate 10 during a drilling processis provided in more detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the base plate 10 also includes a firstextension 46 and a second extension 48. The first extension 46 isdisposed proximate to the rear end 30B and the right side 30D of thebase plate 10 and extends upwardly from the top surface 30E parallelwith the vertical axis “Z.” The second extension 48 is disposedproximate to the rear end 30B and the left side 30C of the base plate 10and extends upwardly from upwardly from the top surface 30E parallelwith the vertical axis “Z.” In the illustrated embodiment, the firstextension 46 and the second extension 48 oppose one another on the baseplate 10 relative to the transverse axis of the base plate 10. Asillustrated in FIG. 8, the first extension 46 defines a passageway 47that extends entirely through the base plate 10 and the first extension46 relative to the vertical axis “Z”. Similarly, the second extension 48defines a passageway 49 that extends entirely through the base plate 10and the second extension 46 relative to the vertical axis “Z”. The usesof the first and second extensions 46, 48 are provided in more detailbelow.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4-7, the base plate 10 defines a set ofthreaded openings 50 that extends laterally into the base plate 10relative to the longitudinal axis or the transverse axis of the baseplate 10. Each threaded opening of the set of threaded openings 50 issubstantially smaller than the central opening 32. In the illustratedembodiment, each of the front end 30A, rear end 30B, left side 30C, andright side 30D defines at least one threaded opening 50. In other words,the front end 30A of base plate 10 defines at least one threaded opening50A from the set of threaded openings 50, the rear end 30B of base plate10 defines at least one threaded opening 50B from the set of threadedopenings 50, the left side 30C of base plate 10 defines at least onethreaded opening 50C from the set of threaded openings 50, and the rightside 30D of base plate 10 defines at least one threaded opening 50D fromthe set of threaded openings 50. In one exemplary embodiment, a frontend, a rear end, a left side, and a right side of a base plate maydefine a pair of threaded openings in a set of threaded openings. Inanother exemplary embodiment, a front end, a rear end, a left side, anda right side of a base plate may define at least two threaded openingsin a set of threaded openings. Such use of the set of threaded openings50 is described in more detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the base plate 10 defines a set of threadedpassageways 52. Each threaded passageway of the set of threadedpassageways 52 is substantially smaller than the central opening 32.Each threaded passageway of the threaded passageways 52 also extendsentirely through the base plate 10 from the top surface 30E to thebottom surface 30F relative to the vertical axis “Z.” A first threadedpassageway 52A of the set of threaded passageways 52 is definedproximate to the left side 30C and between the rear end 30B and thegroove 44. A second threaded passageway 52B of the set of threadedpassageways 52 is defined proximate to the right side 30D and betweenthe front end 30A and the groove. Such use of the set of threadedpassageways 52 is described in more detail below.

Referring to FIG. 1, each guide column 12A, 12B of the pair of guidecolumns 12 operably engages with one of the first and second extensions46, 48 of the base plate 10. The guide columns 12A, 12B aresubstantially similar to one another and are engaged with the one of thefirst extension 46 and second extension 48 in the same orientation.Inasmuch as the guide columns 12 are substantially similar, thefollowing description will relate to the first guide column 12A. Itshould be understood, however, that the description of the first guidecolumn 12A applies substantially equal to the second guide column 12B.

Referring to FIG. 10, the first guide column 12A has a top end or firstend 70A, a bottom end or second end 70B that opposes the top end 70A,and a longitudinal axis that extends from the top end 70A to the bottomend 70B. The first guide column 12A also has an outer surface 72 that isdisposed circumferentially about the longitudinal axis of the firstguide column 12A between the top end 70A and the bottom end 70B. In theillustrated embodiment, the first guide column 12A also defines atapered portion 74 that laterally extends into the first guide column12A orthogonal to the longitudinal axis “X” of drill guide 1. Thetapered portion 74 is a flattened surface that extends along the firstguide column 12A orthogonal to the longitudinal axis “X” of drill guide1. The tapered portion 74 has a first end 74A proximate to the top end70A of the first guide column 12A, an opposed second end 74B proximateto the bottom end 70B of the first guide column 12A, and a length “TS”that is measured from the first end 74A to the second end 74B. Inaddition, the tapered portion 74 defines a first diameter “T₁” at thefirst end 74A of the tapered portion and a second diameter “T2” at thesecond end 74B of the tapered portion 74. The length “TS” of the taperedportion is less than the overall length of the first guide column 12Ameasured from the top end 70A of the first guide column 12A to thebottom end 70B of the first guide column 12A. As illustrated in FIGS. 4and 10, the tapered portion 74 tapers in diameter from the second end74B to the first end 74A where the second diameter “T2” of the firstguide column 12A proximate to the second end 74B of the tapered portion74 is greater than the first diameter T₁” of the first guide column 12Aproximate to the first end 74A of the tapered portion 74. In theillustrated embodiment, the first guide column 12A of the pair of guidecolumns is the only guide rod that has a tapered portion. In oneexemplary embodiment, a first guide column and a second guide column mayhave a tapered portion. Such use of the tapered portion 74 of the firstguide column 12A is described in more detail below.

Still referring to FIG. 10, the first guide column 12A has a firstthreaded passage 76A and a second threaded passage 76B. The firstthreaded passage 76A extends downwardly from the top end 70A of thefirst guide column 12A towards the bottom end 70B of the first guidecolumn 12A relative to the longitudinal axis of the first guide column12. As described later herein, the first threaded passage 76A operablyengages the first guide column 12A to the chuck carrier 14. The secondthreaded passage 76B extends upwardly from the bottom end 70B of thefirst guide column 12A towards the top end 70A of the first guide column12A relative to the longitudinal axis of the first guide column 12. Thefirst guide column 12A also has a reduced portion 78 that extends fromthe bottom end 70B towards the top end 70A in which the reduced portion78 has a smaller diameter than the rest of the first guide column 12A.The reduced portion 78 is sized and configured to be received by thepassageway 47 of the first extension 46 where the first guide column 12Ais operably engaged with the base plate 10. In addition, a fastener 80further operably engages the first guide column 12A to the base plate 10by operably fastening to the second threaded passage 76B of the firstguide column 12A. Other suitable ways may be used to operably engage afirst guide column to a base plate. Examples of operably engaging afirst guide column to a base plate includes attaching, affixing,connecting, coupling, fastening, joining, linking, locking, mounting,press-fitting, securing, and other suitable ways of operably engaging afirst guide column to a base plate.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the chuck carrier 14 includes housing90. The housing 90 has a front end 90A, a rear end 90B that opposes thefront end 90A, and a longitudinal axis defined between the front end 90Aand the rear end 90B. The housing 90 also includes a left side or firstside 90C, a right side or second side 90D that opposes the left side90C, and a transverse axis that is defined between the left side 90C andthe right side 90D. The housing 90 also includes a top surface 90E, abottom surface 90F that opposes the top surface 90E, and a vertical axisdefined between the top surface 90E and the bottom surface 90F. As shownin FIG. 3, the housing 90 defines a front through-hole 92 that extendsentirely through the housing 90 from the top surface 90E to the bottomsurface 90F relative to the vertical axis of the housing 90.

Still referring to FIG. 3, chuck carrier 14 includes at least one ballbearing 94. In the illustrated embodiment, the chuck carrier 14 includesan upper ball bearing 94A and a lower ball bearing 94B. The upper ballbearing 94A is disposed inside of the front through-hole 92 and operablyengages with the housing 90 inside of said front through-hole 92. In theillustrated embodiment, the upper ball bearing 94A is press-fitted intothe housing 90 via the front through-hole 92. In other exemplaryembodiments, any suitable engagement for maintaining an upper ballbearing inside of a housing may be used. The upper ball bearing 94A isdisposed proximate to the top surface 90E of the housing 90 such thatthe upper ball bearing 94A is even with the top surface 90E of thehousing 90 and fails to protrude outside of the front through-hole 92.The lower ball bearing 94B is also disposed inside of the frontthrough-hole 92 and operably engages with the housing 90 inside of saidfirst through-hole 92. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower ballbearing 94B is press-fitted into the housing 90 via the frontthrough-hole 92. In other exemplary embodiments, any suitable engagementfor maintaining a lower ball bearing inside of a housing may be used.The lower ball bearing 94B is disposed proximate to the bottom surface90F of the housing 90 such that the lower ball bearing 94B is even withthe bottom surface 90F of the housing 90 and fails to protrude outsideof the front through-hole 92. In the illustrated embodiment, the upperball bearing 94A is disposed above the lower ball bearing 94B relativeto the vertical axis of the housing 90.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the chuck carrier 14 also includes a hex bit96 that has a top or first end 96A and an opposed bottom or second end96B. A hex portion 98A of the hex bit 96 defined from the first end 96Ato the top surface 90E of the housing 90 is disposed exterior to thefront through-hole 92. As described in more detail herein, the hexportion 98A allows a portable power drill to operably engage with thehex bit 96. A blanked portion 98B of the hex bit 96 defined between thetop surface 90E of the housing 90 to the bottom surface 90F of thehousing 90 operably engages with the upper ball bearing 94A and thelower ball bearing 94B inside of the front through-hole 92. Themechanical engagement between the hex bit 96 and the upper ball bearing94A and lower ball bearing 94B allows the upper ball bearing 94A andlower ball bearing 94B to support rotational movement of the hex bit 96during a drilling operation. In other words, the upper ball bearing 94Aand lower ball bearing 94B allows the hex bit 96 to freely rotate insideof the front through-hole 92 without any interruption caused by thehousing 90. A shoulder 98C of the hex bit 96 is defined between theblanked portion 98B and a threaded portion 98D that prevents the hex bit96 from backing out from the housing 90 once the hex bit 96 is assembledto the housing 90. The hex bit 96 also has threaded portion 98D that isdefined between the shoulder 98C and the second end 96B of the hex bit96. The use of the threaded portion 98D of the hex bit 96 is describedin more detail below. The hex bit 96 also defines a threaded opening 99that extends upwardly from the second end 96B of the hex bit 96 towardsthe first end 96A of hex bit 96 where the threaded opening 99 is definedinside of the threaded portion 98D, the shoulder 98C, and a portion ofthe blanked portion 98B.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the hex bit 96 also defines an annularconcave groove 98E. The annular concave groove 98E that extends betweenthe hex portion 98A and the blanked portion 98B on the hex bit 96. Asdescribed in more detail herein, the annular concave groove 98E mayallow a portable drill that includes a quick release to operably engagewith the hex bit 96 during a drilling operation. Such types of portabledrills are described in more detail below.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the chuck carrier 14 also includes a drillchuck 100. The drill chuck 100 defines a threaded channel 101 thatoperably engages the hex bit 96 with the drill chuck 100. In theillustrated embodiment, the threaded portion 98D of the hex bit 96operably fastens to the threaded channel 101 of the drill chuck 100. Inaddition, a connector 102 passes through a non-threaded channel 103defined by the drill chuck 100 and operably fastens the drill chuck 100to the hex bit 96. Upon assembly, the hex bit 96 and the drill chuck 100may collectively rotate together during a drilling operation via arotational force exerted by a portable power drill, which is describedin more detail below.

In the illustrated embodiment, the drill chuck 100 is offset from thefirst and second columns 12A, 12B of the drill guide 1 in which thedrill chuck 100 and the first and second columns 12A, 12B are positionedin different planes relative to the transverse axis “Y” of the drillguide 1. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the first and second guide columns12A, 12B are positioned in common plane where the first and second guidecolumns 12A, 12B are positioned in a first plane “P₁” that extendsbetween the left and right sides 1C, 1D of the drill guide 1 parallelwith the transverse axis “Y”. Still referring to FIG. 9, the drill chuck100 is positioned in a second, different plane “P₂” that extends betweenthe left and right sides 1C, 1D of the drill guide 1 parallel with thetransverse axis “Y”. However, the second plane “P₂” is offset from thefirst plane “P₁” relative to the longitudinal axis “X” of the drillguide 1 at a distance “PD”. Such offset of the drill chuck 100 relativeto the first and second guide columns 12A, 12B allows the woodworker toorient that drill chuck 100 and the chuck carrier 14 from a firstorientation (FIG. 1) to a second different orientation (FIG. 22). Suchfirst and second orientation for the drill chuck 100 and the chuckcarrier 14 is described in more detail below.

The chuck carrier 14 may include any suitable drill chuck 100 in thedrill guide 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the chuck carrier 14 usesa keyless drill chuck for the drill chuck 100 on the drill guide 1. Inanother exemplary embodiment, a chuck carrier may include a keyed drillchuck for a drill chuck on a drill guide.

Still referring to FIG. 3, a retaining ring 104 is operably engaged tothe blanked portion 98B of the hex bit 96. The retaining ring 104directly abuts the top surface 90E of the housing 90 to provide asuitable support between the hex bit 96 and the housing 90 for holdingand maintaining the position of the hex bit 96 inside of the housing 90.In addition, a curved washer 106 is operably engaged to the hex bit 96and the housing 90 in which the curved washer 106 is provided betweenthe shoulder 98C of the hex bit 96 and the bottom surface 90F of thehousing. In this illustrated embodiment, the curved washer 106 providesa spring-like profile and/or structural configuration to absorb lightmechanical loads for keeping the hex bit 96 and associated partsoperably engaged to the hex bit 96 in place during operation.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 10, the housing 90 has a first protrusion108A and a second protrusion 108B. The first protrusion 108A extendsdownwardly from the housing 90 away from the bottom surface 90F relativeto the vertical axis of the chuck carrier 14 and towards the base plate10. The first protrusion 108A is positioned proximate to the rear end90B and the right side 90D. The first protrusion 108A defines a firstrear through-hole 110A that extends entirely through the chuck carrier14 and the first protrusion 108A from the top surface 90E to the bottomsurface 90F relative to the vertical axis of the chuck carrier 14. Thesecond protrusion 108B extends downwardly from the housing 90 away fromthe bottom surface 90F relative to the vertical axis of the chuckcarrier 14 and towards the base plate 10. The second protrusion 108B ispositioned proximate to the rear end 90B and the left side 90C. Thesecond protrusion 108B defines a second rear through-hole 110B thatextends entirely through the chuck carrier 14 and the second protrusion108B from the top surface 90E to the bottom surface 90F relative to thevertical axis of the chuck carrier 14.

Referring to FIG. 10, an upper bushing 112A and a lower busing 112B areprovided inside each of the first rear through-hole 110A and the secondrear through-hole 110B. Since both the upper bushing 112A and the lowerbushing 112B are arranged identically in the first protrusion 108A andthe second protrusion 108B, the structural arrangement of the upperbushing 112A and the lower bushing 112B inside of the first rearthrough-hole 110A of the first protrusion 108A will be described. Itshould be understood that while the structural arrangement of the upperbushing 112A and the lower bushing 112B inside of the first rearthrough-hole 110A of the first protrusion 108A is being described, suchdescription is applied identically to the upper bushing 112A and thelower bushing 112B inside of the second rear through-hole 110B of thesecond protrusion 108B.

As shown in FIG. 10, the upper bushing 112A is disposed inside of thefirst rear through-hole 110A and operably engages the housing 90 insideof said first rear through-hole 110A. In the illustrated embodiment, theupper bushing 112A is press-fitted into the first protrusion 108A of thehousing 90 via the first rear through-hole 110A. In other exemplaryembodiments, any suitable engagement for maintaining an upper bushinginside of a first protrusion of a housing may be used. The upper bushing112A is disposed proximate to the top surface 90E of the housing 90 suchthat the upper bushing 112A is even with the top surface 90E of thehousing 90 and fails to protrude outside of the first rear through-hole110A. Still referring to FIG. 10, the lower bushing 112B is disposedinside of the first rear through-hole 110A and operably engages thehousing 90 inside of said first rear through-hole 110A. In theillustrated embodiment, the lower bushing 112B is press-fitted into thefirst protrusion 108A of the housing 90 via the first rear through-hole110A. In other exemplary embodiments, any suitable engagement formaintaining a lower bushing inside of a first protrusion of a housingmay be used. The lower bushing 112B is disposed proximate to the bottomsurface 90F of the housing 90 such that the lower bushing 112B is evenwith the bottom surface 90F of the housing 90 and fails to protrudeoutside of the first rear through-hole 110A. In the illustratedembodiment, the upper ball bushing 112A is disposed above the lowerbushing 112B relative to the vertical axis of the housing 90.

Still referring to FIG. 10, the upper bushing 112A and the lower bushing112B operably engage to the outer surface 72 of the first guide column12A inside of the first rear through-hole 110A. Similarly, the upperbushing 112A and the lower bushing 112B operably engage to the outersurface 72 of the second guide column 12B inside of the second rearthrough-hole 110B. The use of the upper bushing 112A and the lowerbushing 112B being positioned between each guide rod 12A, 12B and thechuck carrier 14 is considered advantageous at least because the upperbushing 112A and the lower bushing 112B allow the chuck carrier 14 tofreely move along the outer surfaces 72 of the guide columns 12A, 12Bfor plunging a drilling bit into a workpiece, which is described in moredetail below. In addition, the upper bushing 112A and the lower bushing112B being positioned between each guide rod 12A, 12B and the chuckcarrier 14 may be formed of any suitable material. In one exemplaryembodiment, an upper bushing and a lower bushing positioned betweenguide rods and a chuck carrier may be formed of a polymer material. Inanother exemplary embodiment, an upper bushing and a lower bushingpositioned between guide rods and a chuck carrier may be formed ofTeflon™.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 10, a depth stopper 16 is provided onthe first guide column 12A. The depth stopper 16 has a collar 120 thatdefines a top surface 120A and an opposed bottom surface 120B joined bya circumferential wall 121. The collar 120 also defines a longitudinalaxis between the top surface 120A and the bottom surface 120B. The depthstopper 16 also defines a central opening 122A that extends entirelythrough the collar 120 from the top surface 120A to the bottom surface120B relative to longitudinal axis of the collar 120. The centralopening 122A is sized and configured to receive and house a portion ofthe first guide portion 12A. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the depthstopper 16 also defines a threaded side opening 122B disposed betweenthe top surface 120A and the bottom surface 120B and extends entirelythrough circumferential wall 121. In this illustrated embodiment, thethreaded side opening 122B is in fluid communication with the centralopening 122A. Such use of the threaded side opening 122B is described inmore detail below.

In addition, a depth stopper 16 includes a fastener 124. The fastener124 has a threaded shaft 124A that is sized and configured to operablyengage with the threaded side opening 122B of the collar 120. In otherwords, the threaded shaft 124A operably threads to the threaded sideopening 122B of the collar 120. The fastener 124 also includes anengaging end 124B that operably engages with the tapered portion 74 ofthe first guide column 12A. The fastener 124 also includes a knob 126that is provided on the threaded shaft 124A. The knob 126 allows awoodworker to tighten and/or loosen the fastener 124 for maintainingand/or moving the position of the collar 120 on the first guide column12A. When the fastener 124 is tightened to the first guide column 12A,the threaded shaft 124A extends through the threaded side opening 122Band into the central opening 122A to allow the engaging end 124B of thefastener 124 to operably engage the tapered portion 74 of the firstguide column 12A (see FIG. 10). The structural configuration between thefastener 124 of the depth stopper 16 and the tapered portion 74 of thefirst guide column 12A is considered advantageous at least because thetapered portion 74 provides a self-tightening mechanism between thedepth stopper 16 and the first guide rod 12A. The self-tighteningmechanism provided by the tapered portion 74 to the fastener 124 occursbecause the tapered portion 74 keeps reducing as the tapered portion 74progresses to the bottom end 70B of the first guide column 12A. In otherwords, the diameter of the tapered portion 74 proximate to the top end70A of the first guide column 12A is less than the diameter proximate tothe bottom end 70B of the first guide column 12A. When the fastener 124is loosened from the first guide column 12A, the threaded shaft 124Abacks into the threaded side opening 122B and away from the centralopening 122A to allow the collar 120 to freely move along the taperedportion 74 and the outer surface 72 of the first guide column 12A.

The depth stopper 16 is considered advantageous at least because thedepth stopper 16 limits the downward travel of the chuck carrier 14 andall associated components on the chuck carrier 14 at a specific locationof the tapered portion 74 on the first guide rod 12A. With the inclusionof the tapered portion 74, the depth stopper 16 remains at the desiredlocation along the first guide column 12A even when the chuck carrier 14is exerted against the depth stopper 16 (via the woodworker) due to theself-tightening mechanism between the depth stopper 16 and the firstguide column 12A. In other words, the fastener 124 operably engaged withthe collar 120 fails to move downwardly due to the tapered portion 74preventing the fastener 124 from sliding and/or moving down the firstguide column 12A during one or more contacts with the chuck carrier 14during a drilling operation.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 7, the biaser 18 has a top end orfirst end 130A, an opposed bottom end or second end 130B, and alongitudinal axis that extends between the top end 130A to the bottomend 130B. In the illustrated embodiment, the biaser 18 iscircumferentially disposed about the second guide column 12B. Asillustrated in FIG. 5, the top end 130A of the biaser 18 operablyengages the lower surface of the second protrusion 108B on the chuckcarrier 14 in which the top end 130A of the biaser 18 directly abuts thelower surface of the second protrusion 108B on the chuck carrier 14. Asillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7, the bottom end 130B of the biaser 18operably engages the second extension 48 of the base plate 10. In otherwords, the bottom end 130B of the biaser 18 directly abuts a top surfaceof the second extension 48 of the base plate 10. In the illustratedembodiment, the biaser 18 is configured to bias the chuck carrier 14,and associated components provided on the chuck carrier 14, towards thetop end 1E of the drill guide 1 and away from the base plate 10 relativeto the vertical axis “Z.” In the illustrated embodiment, the biaser 18is a compression spring that is configured to oppose compression andreturn to its uncompressed length when the applied force is removed. Inanother exemplary embodiment, any suitable type of biaser may be used tobias a chuck carrier, and associated components provided on the chuckcarrier, towards a top end of a drill guide and away from a base plateof the drill guide relative to a vertical axis of the drill guide.

The biaser 18 is considered advantageous at least because the biaser 18assists a woodworker in moving the chuck carrier 14 and associatedcomponents provided on the chuck carrier 14 away from a workpiece afterdrilling a hole in said workpiece. In other words, the biaser 18 returnsthe chuck carrier 14 and associated components provided on the chuckcarrier 14 to its original, pre-drilling position without the woodworkerexerting a force on the drill guide 1 to move the chuck carrier 14.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, at least one locking knob 20 is provided inthe drill guide 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the drill guide 1provides a first locking knob 20A and a second locking knob 20A thatoperably engage with one of the first guide column 12A and the secondguide column 12B. The locking knobs 20A, 20B are substantially similarto one another and are engaged with one of the first guide column 12Aand the second guide column 12B in the same orientation. Inasmuch as thelocking knobs 20 are substantially similar, the following descriptionwill relate to the first locking knob 20A. It should be understood,however, that the description of the first locking knob 20A appliesequally to the second locking knob 20B.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the first locking knob 20A includes a shaft 140that has a first end 140A, an opposed second end 140B, and alongitudinal axis defined between the first end 140A and the second end140B. The shaft 140 has a threaded portion 142 that extends from thefirst end 140A to a key portion 144 of the shaft 140. As shown in FIG.10, the threaded portion 142 is sized and configured to operably engagewith the first threaded passage 76A of the first guide column 12A. Inother words, the threaded portion 142 is sized and configured tooperably thread with the first threaded passage 76A of the first guidecolumn 12A. The key portion 144 of the shaft 140 extends from thethreaded portion 142 to the second end 140B of the shaft 140. As shownin FIG. 10, the key portion 144 is sized and configured to be receivedby the first threaded passage 76A such that the key portion 144 ishoused inside of the first threaded passage 76A of the first guidecolumn 12A. As described in more detail herein, the key portion 144 ofthe first locking knob 20 may operably engage with the centering pins22, the fence assembly 200, and flip lock assembly 300. Such engagementis described in more detail below. Referring to FIG. 2A, a knob 146 isprovided at the first end 140A of the shaft 140 for allowing awoodworker to tighten and/or loosen the first locking knob 20A fromand/or to the first guide column 12A and to manipulate the first lockingknob 20A when needed. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the engagement betweenthe first locking knob 20A and the first guide column 12A limits thetravel of the chuck carrier 14 when traveling away from the base plate10 and towards the first end 70A of the first guide column 12A. Thefirst locking knob 20A limits the travel of the chuck carrier 14 byhaving a lower surface of the knob 146 (proximate to the first end 140Aof shaft 140) directly abutting the top surface 90E of the housing 90while the first locking knob 20A is operably fastened to the first guidecolumn 12A.

In the illustrated embodiment, the key portion 144 of the locking knobs20 is hexagonal-shaped (e.g. Allen wrench style key). While the keyportion 144 of the locking knobs 20 is hexagonal-shaped, any suitableshape or configuration for a key portion on a locking knob may be used.Examples of suitable shapes or configuration for a key portion on alocking knob include flat style key, Philips style key, torx style key,square style key, star style key, and any other suitable shapes orconfigurations for a key portion on a locking knob for a particularembodiment.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of centering pins 22 is providedwith the drill guide 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the drill guide 1provides a first centering pin 22A and a second centering pin 22A thatoperably engage with one of the threaded passageways 52 defined on thebase plate 10. The centering pins 22A, 22B are substantially similar toone another and are engaged with one of the threaded passageways 52defined on the base plate 10 in the same orientation. Inasmuch as thecentering pins 22 are substantially similar, the following descriptionwill relate to the second centering pin 22B. It should be understood,however, that the description of the first centering pin 22B appliesequally to the first centering pin 22A.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the centering pin 22 includes a top end orfirst end 150A, an opposed bottom end or second end 150B, and alongitudinal axis that extends between the top end 150A to the bottomend 150B. In the illustrated embodiment, the first centering pin 22Aincludes a blanked portion 152 that extends from the top end 150A to athreaded portion 156. A passageway 154 is defined by the centering pin22 inside of the blanked portion 152 and extends downwardly from the topend 150A towards the bottom end 150B relative to the longitudinal axisof the centering pin 22. A plurality of facets 155 are also definedinside of the passageway 154 in a specific arrangement. In theillustrated embodiment, the plurality of facets 155 are arranged in ahexagonal arrangement. In other exemplary embodiment, a plurality offacets provided in a first centering pin may include a single recessedline arrangement, a recessed cross shape arrangement, a recessed starwith rounded points arrangement, a recessed square arrangement, arecessed star arrangement, and any other suitable arrangements for aplurality of facets provided in a first centering pin for a particularembodiment. As described in more detail herein, the plurality of facets155 of the centering pin 22 is complementary to the key portion 144 ofthe locking knobs 20A, 20B for allowing one of the first locking knob20A and the second locking knob 20B to manipulate the centering pin 22.Such manipulation by the locking knobs 20A, 20B to the centering pins22A, 22B is described in more detail below.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the threaded portion 156 of the centering pin22 extends from the blanked portion 152 to the bottom end 150B of thecentering pin 22. The threaded portion 156 of the centering pin 22 mayoperably engage with one of the threaded passageways of the set ofthreaded passageways 52 defined on the base plate 10. As illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2, and 8, the first centering pin 22A operably engages with thefirst threaded passageway 52A on the base plate 10 and the secondcentering pin 22B operably engages with the second threaded passageway52B on the base plate 10. As described in more detail herein, the firstcentering pin 22A may operably engage with one of the threadedpassageways of the set of threaded passageways 52 at the top surface 30Eof the base plate 10 (e.g., a stored position) and the bottom surface30F of the base plate 10 (e.g., a centering position). Such engagementbetween the centering pins 22 and the set of threaded passageways 52 oneither the top surface 30E of the base plate 10 or the bottom surface30F of the base plate 10 is described in more detail below.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the fence assembly 200 includes a fence 202,at least one thumb screw 204 operably engaged with the fence 202, and atleast one guide rod 206 operably engaged with both the fence 202 and theat least one thumb screw 204. In the illustrated embodiment, the atleast one guide rod 206 operably engages with base plate 10 of the drillguide 1 for operably engaging the fence 202 with the base plate 10 for adrilling operation. Such use of the fence assembly 200 with the drillguide 1 during a drilling operation is described in more detail below.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 11, the fence 202 includes a plate 210.The plate includes a front end 210A, a rear end 210B that opposes thefront end 210A, and a longitudinal axis that extends between the frontend 210A and the rear end 210B. The fence 202 also includes a left sideor first side 210C, a right side or second side 210D that opposes theleft side 210D, and a transverse axis that extends between the left side210C and the right side 210D. The fence 202 also includes a first topsurface 210E, a bottom surface 210F that opposes the first top surface210E, and vertical axis that extends between the first top surface 210Eand the bottom surface 210F.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 11, the fence 202 includes a step 212. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the fence 202 and the step 212 is a unibodycomponent that is integrally extruded, molded, printed, or additivelymanufactured, removably machined, or formed as a unitary, monolithicmember substantially fabricated from a rigid, manmade, material. In oneexample, metal or metal alloys, such as stainless steel or aluminumalloy, may form a substantial majority of the components or elementsused to fabricate the fence and the various components integrallyformed, molded, or extruded therewith. The rigid fence should withstandtypical woodworking handling from an operator pressing the fence againsta piece of wood without damaging the fence. While it is contemplatedthat the fence 202 and its additional components described herein areuniformly and integrally extruded, molded, or formed, it is entirelypossible that the components of the fence be formed separately fromalternative materials as one having routine skill in the art wouldunderstand. Furthermore, while the components of the fence are discussedbelow individually, it is to be clearly understood that the componentsand their corresponding reference elements of the fence are portions,regions, or surfaces of the body and all form a respective element orcomponent of the unitary tool body. Thus, while the components may bediscussed individually and identified relative to other elements orcomponents of the fence, in this exemplary embodiment, there is a singlefence having the below described portions, regions, or surfaces.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 11, the step 212 is positioned proximateto the rear end 210B of the plate 210 and extends upwardly from theplate 210. The step 212 includes a front end 212A that is parallel withthe front end 210A of the plate 210, a rear end 212B that is parallelwith rear end 210B of the plate 210, and a longitudinal axis that isparallel with the longitudinal axis of the plate 210. The step 212 alsoincludes a left side or first side 212C that is parallel with the leftside 210C of plate 210, a right side or second side 212D that isparallel with the right side 210D of the plate 210, and a transverseaxis that is parallel with the transverse axis of the plate 210. Thestep 212 also includes a second upper surface 212E that is parallel withthe first top surface 210E of the plate 210. In the illustratedembodiment, each of the front surface 212A, the rear surface 212B, leftside 212C, right side 212D, and second top surface 212 is disposed abovethe front surface 210A, the rear surface 210B, left side 210C, rightside 210D, and first top surface 210E relative to the vertical axis ofthe plate 210.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the step 212 defines a first set ofpassageways 214A that extends entirely through the step 212 from thefront end 212A to the rear end 212B relative to the longitudinal axis ofthe step 212. The step 212 also defines a second set of passageways 214Bthat extends entirely through the step 212 and the plate 210 from thesecond upper surface 212E of the step 212 to the bottom surface 210F ofthe plate 210. In the illustrated embodiment, the first set ofpassageways 214A and the second set of passageways 214B are definedorthogonally to one another and are in fluid communication with oneanother. In one example, a first passageway 214A1 of the first set ofpassageways 214A is defined perpendicular to a first passageway 214B1 ofthe second set of passageways 214B where the first passageways 214A1,214B1 are in fluid communication with one another. As described in moredetail herein, the at least one guide rod 206 may operably engage withfence 202 via one of the first set of passageways 214A and the secondset of passageways 214B. Such engagement between the fence 202 and theat least one guide rod 206 is described in more detail below.

Still referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the step 212 also defines a set ofthreaded passageways 216 that extends into the step 212. As illustratedin FIG. 12, a first threaded passageway 216A of the set of threadedpassageways 216 extends from the right side 212C of the step 212 andinto the step 212 relative to the transverse axis of the step 212. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the first threaded passageway 216A isperpendicular to the first passageways 214A1, 214B1 and in fluidcommunication with said first passageways 214A1, 214B1. The secondthreaded passageway (not illustrated) extends from the right side 212Cof the step 212 and into the step 212 relative to the transverse axis ofthe step 212. The second threaded passageway is also perpendicular tosecond passageways 214A2, 214B2 of the first and second sets ofpassageways 214A, 214B and in fluid communication with said secondpassageways 214A2, 214B2.

Referring now to FIG. 11, the at least one thumb screw 204 includes afirst thumb screw 204A and a second thumb screw 204B that operablyengage the one of the threaded passageways of the set of threadedpassageways 216 of the fence 202. The thumb screws 204A, 204B aresubstantially similar to one another and are engaged with one of thethreaded passageways 216 on the fence 202 in the same orientation.Inasmuch as the thumbs screws 204 are substantially similar, thefollowing description will relate to the second thumb screw 204B. Itshould be understood, however, that the description of the second thumbscrew 204B applies equally to the first thumb screw 204A.

Still referring to FIG. 11, the thumb screw 204 includes a shaft 220.The shaft 220 has a first end 220A, an opposed second end 220B, and alongitudinal axis that extends from the first end 220A to the second end220B. The shaft 220 includes a threaded portion 222 that extends fromthe first end 220A to a blanked portion 224 of the shaft 220. Thethreaded portion 222 operably engages with one of the threadedpassageways 216A, 216B of the set of threaded passageways 216 tomaintain the thumb screw 204 inside of the fence 202 (seen in FIG. 1).The blanked portion 224 of the shaft 220 extends from the threadedportion 222 to the second end 220B of the shaft 220. As described inmore detail herein, the blanked portion 224 operably engages with the atleast one fence guide rod 206 when the at least one fence guide rod 206operably engages the fence 202. In addition, a knob 226 is provided atthe first end 220A of the shaft 220 for allowing a woodworker to tightenand/or loosen the thumb screw 204 from the fence 202. Such manipulationof the thumb screw 204 during a drilling operation is described in moredetail below.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the fence assembly 200 includes the at leastone guide rod 206. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one guiderod 206 includes a first guide rod 206A and a second guide rod 206B thatoperably engage with the fence 202 inside of one of the passageways ofthe first set of passageways 214A or one of the passageways of thesecond set of passageways 214B. The first guide rod 206A and the secondguide rod 206B are substantially similar to one another and are engagedwith one of the passageways of the first set of passageways 214A or oneof the passageways of the second set of passageways 214B in the sameorientation. Inasmuch as the guide rods 206 are substantially similar,the following description will relate to the first guide rod 206A. Itshould be understood, however, that the description of the first guiderod 206A applies equally to the second guide rod 206B.

Still referring to FIG. 13, the first guide rod 206A has a front end orfirst end 240A, an opposed rear end or second end 240B, and a length“L1” that is measured from the front end 240A to the rear end 240B. Thefirst guide rod 206A has a blanked portion 242 that extends from thefront end 240A to a threaded portion 246. The first guide rod 206Adefines a set of notches 244 that extends from an outer surface 243 ofthe blanked portion 230 and into the first guide rod 206A orthogonallyto the longitudinal axis of the first guide rod 206A. As described laterherein, the set of notches 244 are sized and configured to receive atool (e.g, an open-ended wrench and tools of the like) for furthertightening and/or loosening the first guide rod 206A to the base plate10. The threaded portion 246 of the first guide rod 206A extends fromthe blanked portion 242 to the rear end 240B of the first guide rod206A. The threaded portion 246 is sized and configured to operablyengage with one of the threaded opening in the set of threaded openings50 on the base plate 10. In other words, the threaded portion 246operably threads to one of the threaded opening in the set of threadedopenings 50 on the base plate 10. Such engagement between the guide rods206A, 206B and the set of threaded openings 50A, 50B, 50C, and 50D isdescribed in more detail below.

The first guide rod 206A also defines a threaded chamber 248 thatextends from the first end 240A towards the second end 240B relative tothe longitudinal axis of the first guide rod 206A. The threaded chamber248 is sized and configured to receive one of the locking knobs 20A, 20Bfor further tightening or loosening the first guide rod 206A from thebase plate 10. In other words, one of the locking knobs 20A, 20B mayoperably thread to the threaded chamber 248 of the first guide rod 206Afor further tightening or loosening the first guide rod 206A from thebase plate 10. Such engagement between the guide rods 206A, 206B and thelocking knobs 20A, 20B is described in more detail below.

As illustrated in FIGS. 31A and 31B, the flip stop assembly 300includes, at least one support rod 302 that may operably engage the baseplate 10, at least one extension rod 304 that may operably engage withthe at least one guide rod 304, and at least one flip stop 306 that mayoperably engage the at least one support rod 302 and the at least oneextension rod 304. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least onesupport rod 302 operably engages with base plate 10 of the drill guide 1for operably engaging the at least one flip stop 306 with the base plate10 for a drilling operation. In one exemplary embodiment, at least oneextension rod 304 may be operably engaged to the at least one guide rod306 for extending the overall length of the flip stop assembly 300. Suchuse of the flip stop assembly 300 with the drill guide 1 during adrilling operation is described in more detail below.

Referring to FIG. 26, the flip stop assembly 300 includes the at leastone support rod 302. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least onesupport rod 302 includes a single support rod 302 that operably engageswith one of the threaded openings in the set of threaded openings 50. Itshould be understood, however, that the description of the support rod302 applies equally to other guide rods that may be included in the flipstop assembly 300.

Still referring to FIG. 26, the support rod 302 has a front end or firstend 302A, an opposed rear end or second end 302B, and a length “L2” thatis measured from the front end 302A to the rear end 302B. The length“L2” of the support rod 302 and the second guide rod 320B issubstantially equal to the length “L1” of the guide rods 206A, 206B ofthe fence assembly 200. In one exemplary embodiment, the support rod 302of the flip stop assembly 300 may be substantially identical to theguide rod 206 of the fence assembly 200. In the illustrated embodiment,the support rod 302 has a blanked portion 320 that extends from thefront end 302A to a threaded portion 324. The support rod 302 defines aset of notches 322 that extends from an outer surface 321 of the blankedportion 320 and into the support rod 302. As described later herein, theset of notches 322 are sized and configured to receive a tool (e.g, anopen-ended wrench and tools of the like) for further tightening and/orloosening the support rod 302 to the base plate 10. The threaded portion324 of the support rod 302 extends from the blanked portion 320 to therear end 302B of the support rod 302. The threaded portion 324 is sizedand configured to operably engage with one of the threaded opening inthe set of threaded openings 50 on the base plate 10. In other words,the threaded portion 324 operably threads to one of the threaded openingin the set of threaded openings 50 on the base plate 10. Such engagementbetween the support rod 302 and the set of threaded openings 50A, 50B,50C, and 50D is described in more detail below.

The support rod 302 also defines a threaded chamber 326 that extendsfrom the first end 302A towards the second end 302B relative to thelongitudinal axis of the support rod 302. The threaded chamber 326 issized and configured to receive one of the locking knobs 20A, 20B forfurther tightening or loosening the support rod 302 from the base plate10. In other words, one of the locking knobs 20A, 20B may operablythread to the threaded chamber 326 of the support rod 302 for furthertightening or loosening the support rod 302 from the base plate 10. Suchengagement between the support rod 302 and the locking knobs 20A, 20B isdescribed in more detail below.

The flip stop assembly 300 includes the at least one extension rod 304.In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one extension rod 304includes a single extension rod 304 that operably engages with supportrod 302 for further expanding the overall length of the flip stopassembly 300. It should be understood, however, that the description ofthe extension rod 304 applies equally to other expansion rods that maybe included in the flip stop assembly 300 for further expanding thelength of the flip stop assembly 300.

Still referring to FIG. 27, the extension rod 304 has a front end orfirst end 304A, an opposed rear end or second end 304B, and a length“L3” that is measured from the front end 304A to the rear end 302B. Thelength “L3” of the extension rod 304 is greater than the length “L1” ofthe guide rods 206A, 206B of the fence assembly 200 and the length “L2”of the support rod 302 of the flip stop assembly 300. The extension rod304 has a blanked portion 340 that extends from the front end 304A to athreaded portion 344. The extension rod 304 defines a set of notches 342that extends from an outer surface 341 of the blanked portion 340 andinto the extension rod 304. As described later herein, the set ofnotches 342 are sized and configured to receive a tool (e.g, anopen-ended wrench and tools of the like) for further tightening and/orloosening the extension rod 304 to the support rod 302 in the flip stopassembly 300. The threaded portion 344 of the extension rod 304 extendsfrom the blanked portion 340 to the rear end 304B of the extension rod304. The threaded portion 344 is sized and configured to operably engagewith the threaded chamber 326 of the support rod 302 to further expandthe length of the flip stop assembly 300. In other words, the threadedportion 344 operably threads to the threaded chamber 326 of the supportrod 302 to further expand the length of the flip stop assembly 300. Suchengagement between the expansion rod 304 and the support rod 302 isdescribed in more detail below.

The expansion rod 304 also defines a threaded chamber 346 that extendsfrom the first end 304A towards the second end 304B. The threadedchamber 346 is sized and configured to receive one of the locking knobs20A, 20B for further tightening the expansion rod 304 to the support rod302 or loosening the expansion rod 304 from the support rod 302. Inother words, one of the locking knobs 20A, 20B may operably thread tothe threaded chamber 346 of the expansion rod 304 for further tighteningthe expansion rod 304 to the support rod 302 or loosening the expansionrod 304 from the support rod 302. Such engagement between the expansionrod 304 and the locking knobs 20A, 20B is described in more detailbelow.

As illustrated in FIGS. 31A-32D, the flip stop assembly 300 includes theat least one flip stop 306. In one exemplary embodiment, the at leastone flip stop 306 may include a single flip stop 306 (see FIGS. 32A-32B)that operably engages with support rod 302 and/or an expansion rod 304during a drilling operation. In another exemplary embodiment, the atleast one flip stop 306 may include a plurality of flip stop 306 (e.g.,flip stops 306A, 306B, and 306C) (see FIGS. 31A-31B and 32C-32D) thatoperably engages with support rod 302 and/or an expansion rod 304 duringa drilling operation. It should be understood, however, that thedescription of the flip stop 306 applies equally to other flip stopsthat may be included in the flip stop assembly 300.

Referring to FIGS. 28-30, the flip stop 306 includes a front end 360A, arear end 360B that opposes the front end 360A, and a longitudinal axisthat extends between the front end 360A and the rear end 360B. The flipstop 306 also includes a left side or first side 360C, a right side orsecond side 360D that opposes the left side 360C, and a transverse axisthat extends between the left side 360C and the right side 360D. Theflip stop 306 also includes a top end 360E, a bottom end 360F thatopposes the top end 360E, and a vertical axis that extends between thetop end 360E and the bottom end 360F.

In the illustrated embodiment, the flip stop 306 defines a first bore362A that extends entirely through the flip stop 306 from the front end360A to the rear end 360 relative to the longitudinal axis of the flipstop 306. As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the first bore 362A is disposedproximate to the right side 360D of the flip stop 306. As described inmore detail below, the first bore 362A is sized and configured toreceive and house a portion of the support rod 302 and/or the expansionrod 304 depending on the position of the flip stop 306 as desired by thewoodworker during a drilling operation. The flip stop 306 also defines asecond bore 362B that extends entirely through the flip stop 306 fromthe front end 360A to the rear end 360 relative to the longitudinal axisof the flip stop 306. As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the first bore 362Ais disposed proximate to the left side 360C of the flip stop 306. Theflip stop 306 also defines a threaded bore 362C that extends into theflip stop 306 from the top end 360A towards the first bore 362A relativeto the vertical axis of the flip stop 306. As shown in FIG. 30, thethreaded bore 362C is disposed proximate to the left side 360C of theflip stop 306 and is in fluid communication with the first bore 362A.The flip stop 306 also defines an incline 364 proximate to the front end360A of the flip stop 306. The incline 364 is gradually sloped from thetop end 360E of the flip stop 306 towards the bottom end 360F of theflip stop 306. The use of the incline 364 defined by the flip stop 306is described in more detail below.

Still referring to FIGS. 28-30, the flip stop 306 also includes a stoparm 366. In the illustrated embodiment, the stop arm 366 defines anL-shaped configuration that has a first portion 366A joined to a secondportion 366B in which the second portion 366B is orthogonal to the firstposition 366A. The first portion 366A of the stop arm 366 defines a mainthrough-hole 368 that extends entirely through the stop arm 366 relativeto a transverse axis of the stop arm 366. The second portion 366B of thestop arm 366 defines a plurality of through-holes 370 that extendsentirely through the stop arm 266 relative to the transverse axis of thestop arm 366. The main through-hole 368 of the first portion 366A of thestop arm 366 is sized and configured to receive a fastener 372A foroperably engaging the stop arm 366 to the flip stop 306. The fastener372A is maintained in the flip stop via a nut 372B operably fastening tothe fastener 372A. As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the stop arm 366 isoriented away from the flip stop 306 and is rotatable about the fastener372A for operably engaging an end or end of a workpiece during adrilling operation. The fastener 372A defines an axis of rotation “A”along the length of the fastener 372A in which the stop arm 266 rotatesabout during a drilling operation. Such rotation and engagement of thestop arm 366 with a workpiece is provided in more detail below. Therotation of the stop arm 366 about the fastener 372A is also limited dueto the incline 364 defined by the flip stop 306. The stop arm 366 incomplementary is shape with the incline 364 defined by the flip stop306.

In addition, the flip stop 306 may include a washer 367 positionedbetween the stop arm 366 and the front end 360A of the flip stop 306proximate to the incline 364. The washer 367 may provide rotationalsupport to the stop arm 366 to allow the stop arm 366 to freely rotateabout the fastener 372A. In one exemplary embodiment, the washer 367 maybe made from polymer and/or plastic material to allow for ease ofrotation between the stop arm 366 and the flip stop 306.

Still referring to FIGS. 28-30, the flip stop 306 also includes a thumbscrew 374. The thumb screw 374 has a threaded shaft 374A that operablyengages with the threaded bore 362C of the flip stop 306 such that thethumb screw 374 operably threads to the flip stop 306. The thumb screw374 also includes a knob 374B provided at one end of the threaded shaft374A for allowing a woodworker to tighten or loosen the thumb screw 374to the flip stop 306. The thumb screw 374 of the flip stop 306 operablymaintains the flip stop 306 at a location along the support rod 302 orthe extension rod 304 as desired by the woodworker during a drillingoperation. As such, the thumb screw 374 operably engages an end of thethreaded shaft 374A opposite to the knob 374B to the support rod 302 orthe extension rod 304 for maintaining the flip stop 306 at a desiredlocation.

Having described the structure of the drill guide 1 and the variouscomponents and connections thereof within drill guide 1, methods of usethereof will now be described.

Prior to using the drill guide 1 on a workpiece, a drilling bit must beprovided on the drill guide 1. As illustrated in FIG. 14A, a woodworkermay install a drilling bit 400 with a first diameter “D1” into the drillchuck 100 of the chuck carrier 14. In this configuration, the woodworkermay select a drilling bit 400 that is equal to or less than one inch indiameter. The woodworker using the drill guide 1 would loosen the drillchuck 100 by applying a rotational force on the drill chuck 100 toexpanded the chucks of the drill chuck 100 away from one another todefine a suitable diameter that is complementary to the first diameter“D1” of the drilling bit 400. The rotational force applied to the drillchuck 100 is denoted by arrows labeled “R1.” Once the drilling bit 400is inserted into the drill chuck 100, the woodworker then applies anopposing rotational force “R1” on the drill chuck 100 to collapse thechucks of the drill chuck 100 towards one another to hold and maintainthe drilling bit 400 with the drill chuck 100.

Prior to using the drill guide 1 on a workpiece, the woodworker may thenselect a suitable depth limit when plunging the drilling bit 400 into aworkpiece via the depth stopper 16. Still referring to FIG. 14A, thewoodworker may linearly move the depth stopper 16 along the taperedportion 74 of the first guide column 12A until the woodworker determinesa suitable height for limiting the movement of the chuck carrier 14 andthe plunging action of the drilling bit 400. The linear movement of thedepth stopper 16 is denoted by arrows labeled “B”. During linearmovement of the depth stopper 16, the fastener 124 is disengaged fromthe tapered portion 74 of the first guide column 12A to allow the collar120 to freely move along the first guide column 12A. Once the woodworkerfinds a suitable height for limiting the travel of the chuck carrier 14and the plunging action of the drilling bit 400, the woodworker tightensthe fastener 124 against the tapered portion 74 of the first guidecolumn 12A to maintain the desired height of the depth stopper 16.

Prior to using the drill guide 1 on a workpiece, the woodworker mayutilize the fence assembly 200 during a drilling operation. Thewoodworker may operably engage at least one guide rod 206 to the baseplate 10. As illustrated in FIG. 14A, the woodworker may operably engagea first guide rod 206A and a second guide rod 206B to the base plate 10via the set of threaded openings 50. In the illustrated embodiment, thefirst guide rod 206A and the second guide rod 206B operably thread intothe first set of threaded openings 50A that is defined at the front end30A of the base plate 10 via the woodworker apply a rotational force oneach of the first guide rod 206A and the second guide rod 206B in theclockwise direction. In other exemplary embodiments, the woodworker mayoperably thread the first guide rod 206A and the second guide rod 206Binto the second set of threaded openings 50B that is defined at the rearend 30B of the base plate 10, operably thread the first guide rod 206Aand the second guide rod 206B into the third set of threaded openings50C that is defined at the left side 30C of the base plate 10, oroperably thread the first guide rod 206A and the second guide rod 206Binto the fourth set of threaded openings 50D that is defined at theright side 30D of the base plate 10.

To further tighten the first guide rod 206A and the second guide rod206B into the first set of threaded openings 50A, the woodworker mayremove one of the locking knobs 20A, 20B from one of the guide columns12A, 12B by applying a rotational force on one of the locking knobs 20A,20B in a counter-clockwise direction. Once one of the locking knobs 20A,20B is removed from one of the guide columns 12A, 12B, the woodworkermay then insert the key portion 144 of the locking knob 20 into thethreaded chamber 248 of the first guide rod 206A due to the key portion144 and the threaded chamber 248 being complementary to one another.Once the locking knob 20 operably engages the first guide rod 206A, thewoodworker may apply a rotational force to the locking knob 20 in thecounter-clockwise direction to further tighten the first guide rod 206Ainto one of the threaded openings 50A provided on the front end 30A ofthe base plate 10. The woodworker may repeat the same tightening processto the second guide rod 206B. Once tightening of the first guide rod206A and the second guide rod 206B are complete, the woodworker mayoperably engage the locking knob 20 back into the respective guidecolumn 12 by applying a rotational force to the locking knob 20 in aclockwise direction until the locking knob 20 is secured inside of therespective guide column 12. The woodworker may also use a tool (e.g.,open-ended wrench) to further tighten the first guide rod 206A and thesecond guide rod 206B into the first set of threaded openings 50A viathe notches 246 on each of the first guide rode 206A and the secondguide rod 206B.

Optionally, the woodworker may omit the action of setting the depthstopper 16 at a desired height relative to the base plate 10 if desired.Optionally, the woodworker may omit the fence assembly 200 from thedrill guide 1 during a drilling operation if desired.

Prior to introducing the drill guide to a workpiece “WP”, the woodworkerscribes a set of witness lines “WL” at a desired location on theworkpiece “WP” to locate the exact point for drilling a hole into theworkpiece “WP.” Once the set of witness lines “WL” are scribed on theworkpiece “WP,” the woodworker may then introduce the drill guide 1 tothe workpiece “WP” and align the drill guide 1 with the set of witnesslines “WL” on the workpiece “WP.” The woodworker aligns the drill guide1 with the set of witness lines “WL” by aligning the guide markers 42 ofthe base plate 10 with the set of witness lines “WL.” Once aligned, thedrilling bit 400 provided on the drill guide 1 is disposed directlyabove the location to drill a hole into the workpiece “WP.”

Once the drill guide 1 and the drilling bit 400 are suitably alignedwith the set of witness lines “WL” and above the drilling hole location,the woodworker may then complete assembly of the fence assembly 200. Asillustrated in FIG. 14C, the woodworker may introduce the fence 202 tothe first guide rod 206A and the second guide rod 206B in a firstorientation relative to the base plate 10 by inserting the first guiderod 206A and the second guide rod 206B into one of the first set ofpassageways 214A and the second set of passageways 214B. Prior toengaging the fence 202 with the first and second guide rods 206A, 206B,the first and second thumb screws 204A, 204B are loosened from the fence202 until the shafts 220 of the first and second thumbs screws 204A,204B are completely disposed inside of the respective threadedpassageway of the set of passageways 216 and away from the respectivepassageway of the first set of passageways 214A. As such, the woodworkermay apply a rotational force on the knobs 226 of the first and secondthumb screws 204A, 204B in a counter-clockwise direction to loosen thefirst and second thumbs screws 204A, 204B from the fence 202. Therotational force applied to the first and second thumb screws 204A, 204Bis denoted by arrows labeled “R2”. The woodworker may then introduce thefence 202 to the first and second guide rods 206A, 206B once the firstand second thumb screws 204A, 204B are provided in a suitable positionwhere the shafts 220 of the first and second thumbs screws arecompletely disposed inside of the respective threaded passageway of theset of passageways 216 and away from the respective passageway of thefirst set of passageways 214A.

Still referring to FIG. 14C, the woodworker inserts the first guide rod206A and the second guide rod 206B through the first set of passageways214A to operably engage the fence 202 to the base plate 10 in the firstorientation. The woodworker linearly slides the fence 202 along thefirst guide rod 206A and the second guide rod 206B until the rear end210B, 212B of the fence 202 directly abuts against an outermost end “OE”of the workpiece “WP” (also see FIG. 15). The linear movement of thefence 202 along the first guide rod 206A and the second guide rod 206Bis denoted by arrows labeled “LM1.” The woodworker may the apply arotational force “R2” on the knobs 226 of the first and second thumbscrews 204A, 204B in a clockwise direction to tighten the first andsecond thumbs screws 204A, 204B to the fence 202 and the first andsecond guide rods 206A, 206B to maintain the position of the fence 202on the first and second guide rods 206A, 206B. As such, the first thesecond thumb screws 204A, 204B prevent linear movement of the fence 202along the first and second guide rods 206A, 206B during the drillingoperation. Furthermore, the woodworker may select the first orientationfor the fence 202 in order to maximize the distance of the fence 202relative to the drilling bit 400 when provided on the first and secondguide rods 206A, 206B.

While not illustrated herein, a woodworker may use extension rods (suchas extensions rods 304) to expand the distance of the fence 202 relativeto the drilling bit 400 for a substantially larger workpiece that theworkpiece “WP” illustrated herein. In one exemplary embodiment, awoodworker may install a set of extensions rods to a set of guide rodsfor maximizing the distance of a fence relative to a base plate atdistance from about six and one-half inches up to about twelve inches.In another exemplary embodiment, a woodworker may install more than oneset of extensions to a set of guide rods for maximizing the distance ofa fence relative to a base plate at a distance up to about twelve inchesper set of extension rods used during a drilling operation.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the first and second top surfaces 210E, 212Eof the fence 202 face in the same direction of the top surface 30E ofthe base plate 10 relative to the longitudinal axis “X” of the drillguide 1. In addition, the fence 202 is positioned away from the baseplate 10 at a distance “G₁” that is measured from the drilling bit 400to the rear end 2106 of the fence 202. In the illustrated orientation,the maximum distance “G₁” between the front end 30A of the base plate 10to the rear end 2106 of the fence 202 is of about seven andthree-quarter inches.

Referring now to FIG. 14D, the woodworker may introduce a portable powerdrill 402 to the drill guide 1. Any and all hand drills, handhelddrills, electric and battery-operated portable power drills contemplatedfor use with the drill guide disclosed herein will be referred tohereafter throughout this disclosure by the term “portable drill”.

In the illustrated embodiment, the portable power drill 402 includes adrill chuck 404 that may operably engage with the hex bit 96 of thechuck carrier 14 of the drill guide 1. As shown in FIG. 14D, thewoodworker linearly moves the drill chuck 404 of the portable powerdrill 402 to the chuck carrier 14 to operably engage the drill chuck 404with the hex portion 98A of the hex bit 96. The linear movement exertedby the woodworker on the portable power drill 402 is denoted by an arrowlabeled “LM2.” Any suitable drill chuck provided on portable powerdrills may be operably engaged to the hex bit 96 of the drill guide 1.Examples of suitable drill chucks provided on portable power drillsinclude keyed drill chucks, keyless drill chucks, quick release chucks,and any other suitable drill chucks provided on portable power drills.In the illustrated embodiment, the drill chuck 404 of the portable powerdrill 402 has a keyless drill chuck in which the woodworker loosens thedrill chuck 404 by a rotational force in the counter-clockwise directionto match the diameter of the hex bit 96. Once the diameters of the drillchuck 404 and the hex bit 96 are complementary to one another, thewoodworker engages the drill chuck 404 to the hex bit 96 by applying arotational force in the clockwise direction to tighten the drill chuck404 to the hex bit 96.

Once the portable power drill 402 is operably engaged to the drill guide1, the woodworker may drill a hole into the workpiece “WP.” Asillustrated in FIG. 14E, the woodworker applies a downward linear forceon the portable power drill 402 directed towards the base plate 10. Suchdownward linear force applied to the portable power drill 402 is shownby an arrow labeled “F1.” As the woodworker applies the downward forceto the portable power drill 402, the chuck carrier 14 and associatedparts on the chuck carrier 14 progress towards the base plate 10 and theworkpiece “WP.” During this downward linear force, the portable powertool 402 is also applying a rotational force to the hex bit 96, via thewoodworker activating the power of the portable power drill 402, whichtransfers to the drill chuck 100 of the chuck carrier 14. Since thedrill chuck 100 of the chuck carrier 14 is rotating, the drilling bit400 operably engaged to the drill chuck 100 is also rotating with thedrill chuck 100 via the rotational force created by the portable powerdrill 402. As the drilling bit 400 plunges into the workpiece “WP,” thewoodworker may plunge the drilling bit 400 into the workpiece “WP” untilthe first protrusion 108A directly abuts and/or hits the depth stopper16 while plunging the drilling bit 400. Since the tapered portion 74gradually increases towards the bottom end 70B of the first guide column12B, the fastener 124 is pressed against the tapered portion 74 causinga self-tightening interaction for preventing the depth stopper 16 frommoving downwardly towards the base plate 10. As such, a sudden hit orstrike on the depth stopper 16 by the chuck carrier 14 will not move thedepth stopper 16 downwardly due to the interaction between the taperedportion 74 of the first guide column 12A and the fastener 124 of thedepth stopper 16.

Once the woodworker has completed the drilling process and drilled ahole “H” into the workpiece “WP,” the biaser 18 provides assistance tothe woodworker for moving the chuck carrier 14 and the portable powerdrill 402 after performing a drilling operation (see FIG. 14F). Here,the biaser 18 assists the woodworker by applying an upward linear forceon the chuck carrier 14 and the portable power drill 402 that isdirected away from the base plate 10 and away from the workpiece “WP” tomove the drilling bit 400 from the workpiece “WP.” Such upward linearforce applied to the chuck carrier 14 and the portable power drill 402by the biaser 18 is shown by an arrow labeled “F2.” In addition, thewoodworker may repeat the plunging process and removal processillustrated in FIGS. 14E and 14F until a desired hole is drilled intoand/or through the workpiece “WP.”

As described below and illustrated in FIGS. 16-21, the fence assembly200 provides multiple orientations for allowing the woodworker to drillinto a workpiece with different orientations of the fence 202 anddifferent attachment points of the guide rods 206 to the base plate 10.

As illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, the woodworker may orient the fence202 on the first and second guide rods 206A, 206B in a secondorientation relative to the base plate 10. In the second orientation,the first and second top surfaces 210E, 212E of the fence 202 face anopposing direction as compared to the top surface 30E of the base plate10 relative to the longitudinal axis “X” of the drill guide 1. Similarto the first orientation as illustrated in FIGS. 14A-14F, the first andsecond guide rods 206A, 206B operably engage with the fence 202 via thefirst set of passageways 214A. In the illustrated embodiment, second topsurface 212A of the step 212 operably engages with a top surface “TS” ofa workpiece “WP.” In this orientation, the fence 202 provides thewoodworker with additional support and stability when using the drillguide 10 to drill a hole into the workpiece “WP.” In other words, thefence 202 acts an outrigger that provides the woodworker with additionalsupport and stability when using the drill guide 10 to drill a hole intothe workpiece “WP.”

Generally, a woodworker would desire this second orientation of thefence 200 as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 when the woodworker is drilling ahole into a substantially large workpiece where additional stability isneeded to maintain the position and alignment of the drill guide 1 overa drilling location. During a drilling operation, the woodworker wouldapply a downward linear force onto the bottom surface 210F of the fence202 to provide additional support and stability to the drill guide 1 inwhich the step 212 would act as a cleat or support member. Such downwardlinear force applied by the woodworker on the bottom surface 210F of thefence 202 is shown by an arrow labeled “F3” In addition, the fence 202is positioned away from the base plate 10 at a distance “G₂” that ismeasured from the drilling bit 400 to the rear end 2106 of the fence202. In the illustrated orientation, the maximum distance “G1” betweenthe front end 30A of the base plate 10 to the rear end 210B of the fence202 is up to about six and one-half inches.

As illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, the woodworker may orient the fence202 on the first and second guide rods 206A, 206B in a third orientationrelative to the base plate 10. In the third orientation, the first andsecond top surfaces 210E, 212E of the fence 202 face in the samedirection as the top surface 30E of the base plate 10 relative to thelongitudinal axis “X” of the drill guide 1. Similar to the firstorientation as illustrated in FIGS. 14A-14F, the first and second guiderods 206A, 206B operably engage with the fence 202 via the first set ofpassageways 214A. However, the first and second guide rods 206A, 206Benter the fence 200 from front end 210A and exit at the rear end 210B.In the third orientation, the front end 210A of the fence 202 operablyengages with an outermost end “OE” of a workpiece “WP” for maintaining adistance between the fence 202 and the drilling bit 400. In addition, aportion of the fence 202 measured from the front end 210A towards therear end 210B is disposed beneath the base plate 10 where the first topsurface 210A of the fence 202 is adjacent to and faces the bottomsurface 30F of the base plate 10.

Generally, a woodworker would select the third orientation for the fence202 to minimize the distance between the drilling bit 400 and the fence202 when drilling a hole proximate to an outermost end “OE” of theworkpiece “WP” (seen in FIGS. 18 and 19). During a drilling operation,the woodworker would operably engage the fence 202 to the first andsecond guide rods 206A, 206B by orienting the front end 210A of thefence 202 at the front end 30A of the base 10 and having the first andsecond guide rods 206A, 206A enter through the front end 212A of thestep 212 and exit at the rear end 212B of step 212. The thirdorientation of the fence 202 allows the woodworker to have support andstability when drilling holes close to the outermost end of a workpiece,such as the outermost end “OE” of the workpiece “WP” shown in FIGS. 18and 19. As a woodworker moves the drill guide 1 closer to the outermostend “OE” of the workpiece “WP”, the woodworker will also move the frontend 210A of the fence 202 closer to the drilling bit 400 to compensatefor the overhang and/or unsupported base plate 10 when resting on theworkpiece “WP.” As such, the third orientation of the fence 202 acts asa cantilever in which the front end 210A of the fence 200 directly abutsthe outermost end “OE” of the workpiece “WP” while providing horizontalsupport to the drill guide 1 during a drilling operation. When the fence202 is provided in the third orientation, the woodworker may drill ahole into the workpiece “WP” at a distance “G3” measured from thedrilling bit 400 to the front end 210E of the fence 200. In theillustrated embodiment, a hole may be drilled into a workpiece that isabout one-half of an inch away from an outermost end of the workpiece.

As illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, the woodworker may orient the fence202 on the first and second guide rods 206A, 206B in a fourthorientation relative to the base plate 10. In the fourth orientation,the first and second top surfaces 210E, 212E of the fence 202 aresubstantially orthogonal to the top surface 30E of the base plate 10relative to the longitudinal axis “X” of the drill guide 1. In thefourth orientation, the first and second guide rods 206A, 206B operablyengaged with the fence 202 via the second set of passageways 214B ascompared to the first, second, and third orientations of the fence 202.Here, first and second guide rods 206A, 206B enter the fence 200 at thebottom end 210F and exit at the second upper surface 212E of the step212. In the fourth orientation, the bottom surface 210F of the fence 202operably engages with an outermost end “OE” of a workpiece “WP” formaintaining a distance between the fence 202 and the drilling bit 400.

Generally, a woodworker would desire the fourth orientation of the fence200 as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 when the woodworker is drilling a holeinto a substantially vertical workpiece “WP” and needs additionalhorizontal support at a distance above the drill guide 1. During adrilling operation, the woodworker would operably engage the fence 202to the first and second guide rods 206A, 206B by orienting the bottomsurface 210F of the fence 202 at the front end 30A of the base 10 andhaving the first and second guide rods 206A, 206A enter through thebottom surface 210F of the fence 200 and exit at the second uppersurface 212E of step 212. The fourth orientation of the fence 202 allowsthe woodworker to have horizontal support and stability at an outermostend of a workpiece when drilling holes into a workpiece that isvertically-oriented, such as the workpiece “WP” shown in FIGS. 20 and21. When drilling a hole into the workpiece “WP,” the woodworker mayapply a downward linear force onto the first top surface 210E and/or thesecond upper surface 212E of the fence 202 to maintain the position ofthe drill guide 1 on the vertically-oriented workpiece “WP.”

While the first and second guide rods 206A, 206B are illustrated asoperably engaging the set of threaded openings 50A at the front end 30Aof the base plate 10, the first and second guide rods 206A, 206B mayoperably engaging any set of threaded openings 50 defined by the baseplate 10. In one example, a woodworker may desire to operably engage thefirst and second guide rods 206A, 206B to the set of threaded openings50B at the rear end 30B of the base plate 10. In another example, awoodworker may desire to operably engage the first and second guide rods206A, 206B to the set of threaded openings 50C at the left side 30C ofthe base plate 10. In another example, a woodworker may desire tooperably engage the first and second guide rods 206A, 206B to the set ofthreaded openings 50D at the right side 30D of the base plate 10.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 and 14A-21, the chuck carrier 14 is providedin a first position relative to the base plate 10. In the firstposition, the front end 90A of the housing 90 of the chuck carrier 14faces towards the front end 1A of the drill guide 1. As illustrated inFIGS. 1, 6, and 7, the drill chuck 100 is disposed directly above thebase plate 10 and the central opening 32 relative to the vertical axis“Z” of the drill guide 1. Similarly, the drilling bit 400 is disposeddirectly above the base plate 10 and the central opening 32 relative tothe vertical axis “Z” of the drill guide 1 (see FIG. 14A). In addition,the chuck carrier 14 being oriented in the first position requires amaximum diameter for the drilling bit 400. As stated previously, themaximum diameter of a drilling bit that may be used during a drillingoperation when a chuck carrier is provided in a first position is aboutone inch in diameter. The diameter of the drilling bit 400 is limiteddue to the overall diameter of the central opening 32 defined by thebase plate 10. In addition, the first position of the chuck carrier 14allows a woodworker to install and use a drilling bit with a maximumlength of about 6.7 inches.

However, the chuck carrier 14 of the drill guide 1 may be provided in asecond, reversible position. To reverse the orientation of the chuckcarrier 14, a woodworker may loosen each of the first and second lockingknobs 20A, 20B from each of the first and second guide columns 12A, 12Bby applying a rotational force on the first and second locking knobs20A, 20B in a counter-clockwise direction. Once the first and secondlocking knobs 20A, 20B have been loosened and removed from the first andsecond guide columns 12A, 12B, the woodworker applies a pulling force onthe housing 90 of the chuck carrier 14 directed away from the base plate10 relative to the vertical axis “Z” of the drill guide 1 to remove thechuck carrier 14 from the guide columns 12. Once removed, the woodworkerthen rotates the chuck carrier 14 rotates the chuck carrier 14 about thevertical axis “Z” of the drill guide 1 to have the front end 90A of thehousing 90 face towards the rear end 1B of the drill guide 1 andopposite to the front end 1A of the drill guide 1. Once the chuckcarrier 14 is oriented towards the rear end 1B of the drill guide 1, thewoodworker operably engages the chuck carrier 14 to the guide columns 12in a reverse orientation. In the second position, the first guide rod12A enters through the second rear through-hole 110B and operablyengages with the upper and lower bushings 112A, 112B in the secondprotrusion 108A. Also in the second position, the second guide rod 12Benters through the first rear through-hole 110A and operably engageswith the upper and lower bushings 112A, 112B in the first protrusion108A. Once the chuck carrier 14 is provided on the first and secondguide columns 12A, 12B, the woodworker then tightens each of the firstand second locking knobs 20A, 20B to the each of the first and secondguide columns 12A, 12B by applying a rotational force on the first andsecond locking knobs 20A, 20B in the clockwise direction.

Once the chuck carrier 14 is provided in the second position, the drillchuck 100 is positioned away from the base plate 10 and the centralopening 32 relative to the longitudinal axis “X” of the drill guide 1.In addition, a drilling bit 400′ with a diameter “D2” that is greaterthan the diameter “D1” of the drilling bit 400 is also positioned awayfrom the base plate 10 and the central opening 32 relative to thelongitudinal axis “X” of the drill guide 1. Generally, a woodworkerwould desire this configuration of the drill guide 1 for drilling holesthat are greater than one inch in diameter. In one example, the secondposition of the chuck carrier 14 allows a woodworker to install and usea drilling bit with a maximum diameter of about two inches. Asillustrated in FIG. 22, a woodworker is able to use different types ofdrilling bits 400′ on the drill guide 1. Examples of suitable types ofdrilling bits used when a chuck carrier is provided in a second positioninclude twist drilling bits, flat bottom boring bits such as forstnerbits, mortising bits, spade bits, and other suitable types of drillingbits when a chuck carrier is provided in a second position. In addition,the second position of the chuck carrier 14 allows a woodworker toinstall and use a drilling bit with a maximum length of about seven andone-half inches.

While not illustrated herein, a woodworker may install the fenceassembly 200 and/or the flip stop assembly when the chuck carrier 14 isprovided in the second position. The woodworker may include the fenceassembly 200 and/or the flip stop assembly 300 at any set of threadedopenings 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D on the base plate 10 as described andillustrated herein.

The drill guide 1 also allows a woodworker to drill holes into acurvilinear and/or rounded workpiece. As illustrated in FIG. 23, awoodworker may rest a curvilinear and/or rounded workpiece “RWP” on thetop surface 30E of the base plate 10 via the groove 44. The groove 44defined in the base plate 10 provides a structure that allows acircumferential wall “CW” of the curvilinear and/or rounded workpiece“RWP” to rest inside of the base plate 10 so that the curvilinear and/orrounded workpiece “RWP” does not rotate or become misaligned during adrilling operation. In addition, the first and second centering pins22A, 22B may also provide assistance to the drill guide 1 formaintaining the curvilinear and/or rounded workpiece “RWP” on the baseplate 10 during a drilling operation. In this situation, the first andsecond centering pins 22A, 22B directly abut the circumferential wall“CW” of the rounded workpiece “RWP” during a drilling operation toprovide additional support. If, however, the diameter or the width ofthe curvilinear and/or rounded workpiece “RWP” is greater than thedistance between the first and second centering pins 22A, 22B whenprovided in the stored position on the base plate 10, the woodworker mayloosen and removing the first and second centering pins 22A, 22B fromthe base plate 10.

As previously stated, the first and second centering pins 22A, 22B mayalso be moved from the stored position on the top surface 30E of thebase plate 10 to the centering position on the bottom surface 30F of thebase plate 10. Generally, a woodworker would desire to use the first andsecond centering pins in the centering position when the woodworkerneeds to drill at least one hole in to center of a workpiece, such as awooden stud. Such use of the first and second centering pins 22A, 22B inthe centering position is described below and illustrated in FIGS. 24Aand 24B.

In order to move the first and second centering pins 22A, 22B from astored position to a centering position, the woodworker may loosen andremove one of the locking knobs 20 from its respective guide column 12(e.g., first locking knob 20A). As illustrated in FIG. 24A, thewoodworker inserts the key portion 144 of the locking knob 20 into thepassageway 154 of one of the centering pins 22 where the key portion 144operably engages with the plurality of facets 155 inside of thepassageway 154 of the selected centering pin 22. Once the locking knob20 operably engages the centering pin 22, the woodworker applies arotational force in the counter-clockwise direction on the locking knob20 to loosen the first centering pin 22 from one of threaded passagewaysof the set of threaded passageways 52 (e.g., the first thread passageway52A). The rotational force applied on the locking knob 20 by thewoodworker is denoted by an arrow labeled “S1.”

Once the centering pin 22 is loosened and removed from the threadedpassageway at the top surface 30E of the base plate 10, the woodworkerthen moves the centering pins 22 to the threaded passageways 52 at thebottom surface 30F of the base plate 10. As illustrated in FIG. 24B, thethreaded portion 156 of the centering pin 22 operably engages with thethreaded passageway 52 by entering into the threaded passageway 52 fromthe bottom surface 30F of the base plate 10. Once the centering pin 22operably engages with the threaded passageway 52, the woodworker appliesa rotational force in the clockwise direction on the locking knob 20 totighten the first centering pin 22 to the threaded passageways. Therotational force applied on the locking knob 20 by the woodworker isdenoted by an arrow labeled “S2.” The same technique and procedure maybe repeated by woodworker for moving the other centering pin 22 from thestored position to the centering position.

Once the centering pins 22 operably engage the base plate 10 at thebottom surface 30F, a woodworker may introduce the drill guide 1 alongwith the portable power drill 402 to a center line “CL” on an outermostedge “OE” of a workpiece “WP” as illustrated in FIG. 25A. As shown inFIG. 25A, the woodworker may align the centering pins 22A, 22B alongfirst and second outermost sides “OS1”, “OS2” of the workpiece “WP” suchthat the centering pins 22A, 22B are directly abutting the outermostsides “OS1”, “OS2” during a drilling operation. Prior to preciselyaligning the drilling bit 400 with a predetermined hole location, thefirst centering pin 22A is positioned along a first outermost side “OS1”of the workpiece “WP” such that the first centering pin 22A directlyabuts the first outermost side “OS1” of the workpiece “WP”. In addition,the second centering pin 22B is positioned along an opposed secondoutermost side “OS2” of the workpiece “WP” such that the secondcentering pin 22B directly abuts the second outermost side “OS2” of theworkpiece “WP.” Once the pair of centering pins 22 are abutting thefirst and second outermost sides “OS1”, “OS2” of the workpiece “WP”, thedrilling bit 400 of the drill guide 1 may be plunged into the workpiece“WP” and used to drill along center line “CL” to bore a hole into theworkpiece “WP”.

As illustrated in FIG. 25A, the drill guide 1 is provided in a firstorientation on the workpiece “WP”. In the illustrated embodiment, thefirst centering pin 22A abuts the first outermost edge “OS1” at one endof the workpiece “WP” and the second centering pin 22B abuts the secondoutermost edge “OS2” at an opposing end of the workpiece “WP”. Inaddition, the centering pins 22 may abut different locations of thefirst and second outermost sides “OS1”, “OS2” of the workpiece “WP” topresent the drill guide 1 in different orientation on the workpiece“WP”. In one instance, the woodworker may rotate the drill guide 1 aboutthe vertical axis “Z” to a second orientation until the first centeringpins 22A abuts an opposing end of the workpiece “WP” on the firstoutermost side “OS1” and the second centering pins 22B abuts an opposingend of the workpiece “WP” on the second outermost side “OS2.” Theorientations of centering pins 22 on the drill guide 1 allows awoodworker to manipulate the drill guide to his/her desire when drillinga center hole in a workpiece “WP.” Additionally, the centering pins 22on the drill guide 1 may accommodate certain widths of workpieces whendrilling a centering hole. In one exemplary embodiment, the centeringpins 22 of the drill guide 1 may accommodate a workpiece defining awidth up to about 3⅛ inches.

As illustrated in FIGS. 31A and 31B, a woodworker may operably engagethe flip stop assembly 300 to the drill guide 1 for a drillingoperation. In the illustrated embodiment, the fence assembly 200 isoperably engaged to the set of threaded openings 50A defined at thefront end 30A of the base plate 10.

Prior to introducing the drill guide 1 with the flip stop assembly 300,the woodworker may operably engage the support rod 302 into base plate10 at any set of threaded openings 50 defined on the base plate 10. Inthe illustrated embodiment, support rod 302 operably engages with baseplate 10 at a threaded opening in the set of threaded openings 50Ddefined at the right side 30D of the base plate 10. The woodworker mayalso operably engage one of the locking knobs 20 within the threadedpassageway 326 of the support rod 302 to further tighten the support rod302 to the base plate 10. Such use of the removing one of the lockingknob 20 from one of the guide columns 12 is described above. Once thesupport rod 302 operably engages with the selected threaded opening inthe set of threaded openings 50D defined at the right side 30D of thebase plate 10, the woodworker may operably engage the support rod 302 tothe base plate 10. The woodworker may also operably engage a tool (e.g.,an opened-end wrench) to the support rod 302 inside of the pair ofnotches 322 to further tighten the support rod 302 to the base plate 10.

The woodworker may also operably engage at least one extension rod 304with the support rod 302. As illustrated in FIGS. 31A and 31B, thethreaded portion 344 of the at least one extension rod 304 operablyengages with the threaded chamber 326 of the support rod 302 where theat least one extension rod 304 is operably engaged with the base plate10 via the support rod 302. The woodworker may also operably engage atool (e.g., an opened-end wrench) to the at least one extension rod 304inside of the pair of notches 342 to further tighten the at least oneextension rod 304 to the support rod 302. The woodworker may alsooperably engage one of the locking knobs 20 within the threadedpassageway 326 of the support rod 302 or another tool similar to thelocking knob 20 (e.g., a driving tool) into the at least one extensionrod 304 inside of the threaded chamber 326 to further tighten the atleast one extension rod 304 to the support rod 302. In other exemplaryembodiment, the woodworker may operably engage any suitable number ofextensions rod 304 to the base plate 10 based on particular embodiment,such as the number of flip stop 306 desired by the woodworker during adrilling operation. Example numbers of extension rods that may beoperably engaged to a base plate include zero, one, at least one, two, aplurality, three, four, and other suitable numbers of extension rodsthat may be operably engaged to a base plate.

Optionally, the woodworker may remove one of the centering pins 22 fromits stored position on the base plate 10 (operably engaged to the topsurface 30E of the base plate 10 inside one of the threaded passagewaysin the set of threaded passageways 52). In this example, the woodworkermay operably engage the selected centering pin 22 into base plate 10 atany set of threaded openings 50 defined on the base plate 10. As such,the selected centering pin 22 operably engages with base plate 10 at athreaded opening in the set of threaded openings 50D defined at theright side 30D of the base plate 10. The woodworker may also operablyengage one of the locking knobs 20 within the passageway 154 of theselected centering pin 22 to further tighten the centering pin 22 to thebase plate 10. Such use of the removing one of the locking knob 20 fromone of the guide columns 12 is described above. Once the centering pin22 operably engages with the selected threaded opening in the set ofthreaded openings 50D defined at the right side 30D of the base plate10, the woodworker may operably engage at least one extension rod 304 tothe base plate 10. The woodworker may then operably engage the threadedportion 344 of the at least one extension rod 304 to the centering pin22 inside of the passageway 154. The woodworker may also operably engagea tool (e.g., an opened-end wrench) to the at least one extension rod304 inside of the pair of notches 342 to further tighten the at leastone extension rod 304 to the base plate 10.

The woodworker may also operably engage at least one flip stop 306 (suchas flip stop 306A) to the support rod 302 and the at least one extensionrod 304. As illustrated in FIG. 31B, the woodworker introduces at leastone flip stop 306 to the at least one extension rod 304 by passing theat least one extension rod 304 through the first bore 362A of the atleast one flip stop 306. The at least one extension rod 304 enters theat least one flip stop 306 from the rear end 360B of the at least oneflip stop 306 and exits out at the front end 360A of the at least oneflip stop 306. During assembly of the flip stop assembly 300, thewoodworker may position the at least one flip stop 306 at any suitablelength along the support rod 302 or the at least one extension rod 304.In addition, the woodworker may operably engage a second flip stop 306Band a third flip stop 306C from the at least one flip stop 306 to thesupport rod 302 and the at least one extension rod 304 substantiallysimilar to the first flip stop 306A operably engaging to the support rod302 and the at least one extension rod 304 (see FIG. 31B).

Once the woodworker has operably engaged each of the first flip stop306A, second flip stop 306B, and the third flip stop 306C to the supportrod 302 and the at least one extension rod 304, the woodworker mayintroduce the drill guide 1, along with the fence assembly 200 and thefence assembly 300, to a workpiece “WP”. As illustrated in FIG. 32A, thewoodworker aligns the guide markers 42 defined on the base plate 10 witha first set of witness lines “WL1” scribed on the workpiece “WP” by thewoodworker.

During the alignment of the guide markers 42 with the first set ofwitness lines “WL1”, the fence 202 may abut a first outermost end “OE₁”of the workpiece “WP”. In the illustrated embodiment, the fence 202 isprovided in the first orientation (as illustrated in FIGS. 14C-14F)where the rear end 210B of the fence 200 directly abuts against thefirst outermost end “OE₁” of the workpiece “WP”. During alignment, thefence 202 is also moveable along the first and second guide rods 206A,206B in order to allow the woodworker to precisely and accurately alignthe drilling bit 400 at the point where the witness lines “WL1”intersect. In addition, the first flip stop 306A may abut a secondoutermost end “OE₂” of the workpiece “WP” where the second outermost end“OE₂” is orthogonal to the first outermost end “OE₁” on the workpiece“WP”. In the illustrated embodiment, the stop arm 366 of the first flipstop 306A directly abuts against the second outermost end “OE₂” of theworkpiece “WP” where the flip stop assembly 300 is positioned orthognalto the fence assembly 200 relative to the transverse axis “Y”. Duringalignment, the first flip stop 306A is also moveable along the supportrod 302 and the at least one extension rod 304 in order to allow thewoodworker to precisely and accurately align the drilling bit 400 at thepoint where the witness lines “WL1” intersect.

Once the guide markers 42 are aligned with the first set of witnesslines “WL1”, the woodworker may adjust the fence 202 and the first flipstop 306A accordingly. As illustrated in FIG. 32A, the fence 202 isprovided at a fence distance “FD” that is measured from the rear end210B of the fence 200 to the drilling bit 400. Once the woodworker hasdetermined the fence distance “FD” for the fence 202, the woodworkertightens the thumb screw 204A, 204B of the fence 202 to the guide rods206A, 206B in order for the fence 202 to maintain the fence distance“FD” from the drilling bit 400. In addition, the first flip stop 306A ofthe at least one flip stop 306 may be positioned at a first distance“FS1” away from the drilling bit 400 that is measured from the stop arm366 of the first flip stop 306A to the drilling bit 400 of the drillguide 1. Once the woodworker has determined the first distance “FS1” forthe first flip stop 306A, the woodworker tightens the thumb screw 374 ofthe first flip stop 306A to the support rod 302 or the at least oneextension rod 304 in order for the first flip stop 306A to maintain thefirst distance “FS1” from the drilling bit 400. The woodworker thenrotates the stop arm 366 downwardly about the first axis of rotation “A”defined along the length of the fastener 372A in order for the stop arm366 to operably engage the second outermost edge “OE₂”. Once the fence202 and the stop arm 366 of the first flip stop 306A operably engage thefirst outermost end “OE₁” and the second outermost end “OE₂” of theworkpiece “WP”, the woodworker may drill a first hole “H1” into theworkpiece “WP” based on the first set of witness lines “WL1”.

As illustrated in FIG. 32A, the engagement of the fence 202 and the stoparm 366 of the first flip stop 306A provides additional stability to thedrill guide 1 where the fence 202 and the first flip stop 306A maintainthe position of the drill guide 1 at the first set of witness lines“WL1”. Here, the fence 202 and the first flip stop 306A act as stoppersand prevent movement of the drill guide 1 in both a longitudinaldirection and a transverse direction when resting on the workpiece “WP”.During a drilling operation, the woodworker may simply apply force tothe drill guide 1, the fence assembly 200, and/or the flip stop assembly300 that is directed towards the rear end 1B of the drill guide 1 and/ordirected towards the left side 1D of the drill guide 1 to maintain theposition of the drill guide 1 over the first set of witness lines “WL1”during a drilling operation.

Once the woodworker has completed drilling the first hole “H1” into theworkpiece “WP”, the woodworker may then rotate the stop arm 366 upwardlyabout the first axis of rotation “A” defined along the length of thefastener 372A in order for the stop arm 366 to operably disengage fromthe second outermost edge “OE₂”. The rotation of the stop arm 366 isdenoted by an arrow labeled “R3”. Once disengaged, the woodworker mayslide the drill guide 1 along with the fence assembly 200 and the flipstop assembly 300 away from the first set of witness lines “WL1” to asecond set of witness lines “WL2” scribed on the workpiece “WP”. Duringthis movement, the fence 202 of the fence assembly 200 may be maintainedat the fence distance “FD” to eliminate redundant alignment andadjustment of the guide markers 42 with the second set of witness lines“WL2”.

As the guide markers 42 of the base plate 10 align with the second setof witness lines “WL2”, the woodworker may adjust the second flip stop306B based on the alignment between the guide markers 42 of the baseplate 10 align with the second set of witness lines “WL2”. Asillustrated in FIG. 32C, the second flip stop 306B of the at least oneflip stop 306 may be positioned at a second distance “FS2” away from thedrilling bit 400 that is measured from the stop arm 366 of the secondflip stop 306B to the drilling bit 400 of the drill guide 1. In theillustrated embodiment, the second distance “FS2” of the second flipstop 306B is greater than the first distance “FS1” of the first flipstop 306A. Once the woodworker has determined the second distance “FS2”for the second flip stop 306B, the woodworker tightens the thumb screw374 of the second flip stop 306B to the support rod 302 or the at leastone extension rod 304 in order for the second flip stop 306B to maintainthe second distance “FS2” from the drilling bit 400. The woodworker thenrotates the stop arm 366 of the second flip stop 306B downwardly aboutthe axis of rotation “A” defined along the length of the fastener 372Ain order for the stop arm 366 to operably engage the second outermostedge “OE₂”. Once the fence 202 and the stop arm 366 of the second flipstop 306B operably engage the first outermost end “OE₁” and the secondoutermost end “OE₂” of the workpiece “WP”, the woodworker may drill asecond hole “HZ” into the workpiece “WP” based on the second set ofwitness lines “WL2”.

Once the woodworker has completed drilling the second hole “HZ” into theworkpiece “WP”, the woodworker may then rotate the stop arm 366 of thesecond flip stop 306B upwardly about the axis of rotation “A” definedalong the length of the fastener 372A in order for the stop arm 366 tooperably disengage from the second outermost edge “OE₂”. Oncedisengaged, the woodworker may slide the drill guide 1 along with thefence assembly 200 and the flip stop assembly 300 away from the secondset of witness lines “WL2” to a third set of witness lines “WL3” scribedon the workpiece “WP”. During this movement, the fence 202 of the fenceassembly 200 may be maintained at the fence distance “FD” to eliminateredundant alignment and adjustment of the guide markers 42 with thethird set of witness lines “WL3”.

As the guide markers 42 of the base plate 10 align with the third set ofwitness lines “WL3”, the woodworker may adjust the third flip stop 306Cbased on the alignment between the guide markers 42 of the base plate 10align with the third set of witness lines “WL3”. As illustrated in FIG.32D, the third flip stop 306C of the at least one flip stop 306 may bepositioned at a third distance “FS3” away from the drilling bit 400 thatis measured from the stop arm 366 of the second flip stop 306B to thedrilling bit 400 of the drill guide 1. In the illustrated embodiment,the third distance “FS3” of the third flip stop 306C is greater than thefirst distance “FS1” of the first flip stop 306A and the second distance“FS2” of the second flip stop 306B. Once the woodworker has determinedthe third distance “FS3” for the third flip stop 306C, the woodworkertightens the thumb screw 374 of the third flip stop 306C to the supportrod 302 or the at least one extension rod 304 in order for the thirdflip stop 306C to maintain the third distance “FS3” from the drillingbit 400. The woodworker then rotates the stop arm 366 of the third flipstop 306C downwardly about the axis of rotation “A” defined along thelength of the fastener 372A in order for the stop arm 366 to operablyengage the second outermost edge “OE₂”. Once the fence 202 and the stoparm 366 of the third flip stop 306C operably engage the first outermostend “OE₁” and the second outermost end “OE₂” of the workpiece “WP”, thewoodworker may drill a third hole “H3” into the workpiece “WP” based onthe third set of witness lines “WL3”.

While not illustrated herein, the woodworker may keep the arrangement ofthe fence 202 on the guide rods 206A, 206B and the flip stops 306A,306B, 306C on the support rod 302 and the at least one extension rod 304for drilling a similar hole arrangement on the same workpiece “WP” or anentirely different workpiece. In other words, the measured arrangementof the fence 202 and the flip stops 306A, 306B, 306C on the drill guide1 allows a woodworker to simply align the fence 202 with a firstoutermost end of a workpiece and one of the flip stops 306 with a secondoutermost end of a workpiece without measuring and scribing new set ofwitness lines on the workpiece as described above and illustrated inFIGS. 32A-32D. As such, the measured arrangement of the fence 202 andthe flip stops 306A, 306B, 306C on the drill guide 1 eliminatesredundant alignment and adjustment performed by the woodworker whendrilling a new set of holes into the same workpiece or a differentworkpiece.

While the at least one flip stop 306 comprises of first, second andthird flip stops 306A, 306B, 306C, any suitable number of flip stop maybe provided with a drill guide based on a particular embodiment, such asthe size, shape, and configuration of a workpiece being drill into via adrill guide. Example numbers of flip stops that may be provided with adrill guide includes zero, one, at least one, two, a plurality, three,four, five, and any other suitable amount of flip stops that may beprovided with a drill guide.

FIG. 33 illustrates a method 500 of using a portable power drill with adrill guide. Initial step 502 of method 500 may include operablyengaging a drilling bit into a chuck of a chuck carrier of the drillguide. Another step 504 may include aligning a set of witness lines on aworkpiece with guide markers provided on a base plate of the drillguide. Another step 506 may include setting a depth stopper to a desiredheight on a tapered portion of a first guide column of the drill guide.Another step 508 may include operably engaging a drill chuck of theportable drill with the chuck of the chuck carrier. Another step 510 mayinclude collectively moving the portable drill and the chuck carrieralong the first guide column towards an opening defined by the baseplate. Another step 512 may include self-tightening the depth stopperabout the first guide column as the chuck carrier moves towards theopening. Another step 514 may include drilling a hole into the workpiecewith the drilling bit.

In an exemplary embodiment, method 500 may include additional steps ofusing a portable power drill with a drill guide. An optional step mayinclude the step of collectively moving the portable drill and the chuckcarrier away from the base plate via a biaser provided on a second guidecolumn of the drill guide. Optional steps may further include the stepsof rotating the chuck carrier from a first position where the drillingbit aligns with the opening in the base plate to a second position wherethe drilling bit is located outwardly away from the base plate;disengaging the drilling bit from the chuck carrier; and engaginganother drilling bit of a greater diameter with the chuck carrier.Optional steps may further include the steps of removing a first lockknob from the first guide column of the drill base when the chuckcarrier is in the first position; disengaging the chuck carrier from thefirst guide column; rotating the chuck carrier to the second position;reengaging the chuck carrier in the second position with the first guidecolumn; and operably engaging the first lock knob with the first guidecolumn to maintain the chuck carrier in the second position. Optionalstep may further include the steps of removing a first centering pinfrom a first stored position on a top surface of the base plate;removing a second centering pin from a second stored position on the topsurface of the base plate; operably engaging the first centering pin ata bottom surface of the base plate in a first centering position;operably engaging the second centering pin at the bottom surface of thebase plate in a second centering position; and locating the workpiecebetween the first centering pin and the second centering pin on thebottom surface of the base plate. An optional step may include the stepof positioning a workpiece into a groove defined by the base plate,wherein the workpiece defines a curvilinear shape. Optional steps mayfurther include the steps of operably engaging at least one guide rodwith a first end of the base plate; operably engaging a fence with theat least one guide rod; and positioning a top surface of the fenceadjacent to a bottom surface of the base plate. Optional steps mayfurther include the steps of operably engaging at least one guide rodwith a first end of the base plate; operably engaging a fence with theat least one guide rod; positioning the fence a first distance away fromthe drilling bit; and abutting a rear end of the fence to a firstoutermost edge of the workpiece. Optional steps may further include thesteps of operably engaging a support rod with a first side of the baseplate; operably engaging a flip stop with the support rod; positioningthe flip stop at a second distance away from the drilling fence; andabutting a stop arm of the flip stop to a second outermost edge of theworkpiece, wherein the stop arm is orthogonal to the rear end of thefence.

FIG. 34 illustrates a method 600 of guiding a portable drill with adrill guide. An initial step 602 may include operably engaging theportable drill to a drill guide. Another step 604 may include engagingat least one guide rod to a base plate of the drill guide. Another step606 may include placing the base plate of the drill guide on aworkpiece. Another step 608 may include engaging a fence of the drillguide with the at least one guide rod. Another step 610 may includepositioning the fence against the workpiece. Another step 612 mayinclude maintaining a drilling bit on the drill guide at a predeterminedlocation on the workpiece.

In an exemplary embodiment, method 600 may include additional steps ofguiding a portable drill with a drill guide. An optional step mayfurther provide that the step of placing of the base plate of the drillguide on the workpiece includes placing the base plate on a top surfaceof the workpiece; wherein the positioning of the fence against theworkpiece includes placing a rear end of the fence on a side surface ofthe workpiece that is substantially perpendicular to the top surface ofthe workpiece; and positioning the fence at a distance away from thedrilling bit via the at least one guide rod. An optional step mayfurther provide that the step of placing of the base plate of the drillguide on the workpiece includes placing the base plate on a top surfaceof the workpiece; wherein the positioning of the fence against theworkpiece includes placing a front end of the fence on a side surface ofthe workpiece that is substantially perpendicular to the top surface ofthe workpiece; and positioning a portion of a top surface of the fenceadjacent to a bottom surface of the base plate. An optional step mayfurther provide that the step of placing of the base plate of the drillguide on the workpiece includes placing the base plate on a top surfaceof the workpiece; placing an upper surface of the fence on the topsurface of the workpiece; and positioning the fence a distance away fromthe drilling bit via the at least one guide rod. An optional step mayfurther provide that the step of placing of the base plate of the drillguide on the workpiece includes placing the base plate on a side surfaceof the workpiece; wherein the positioning of the fence against theworkpiece includes placing a bottom surface of the fence on the topsurface of the workpiece; and positioning the fence a distance away fromthe drilling bit via the at least one guide rod.

FIG. 35 illustrates a method 700 of guiding a portable drill with adrill guide. An initial step 702 may include engaging a first assemblywith a base plate of a drill guide. Another step 704 may include placingthe base plate on a surface of a workpiece. Another step 706 may includeretaining the base plate in a longitudinal position relative to a firstedge of the workpiece, wherein the first edge is orthogonal to thesurface of the workpiece. Another step 708 may include orienting asecond assembly orthogonally to the first assembly. Another step 710 mayinclude engaging the second assembly with the base plate of the drillguide. Another step 712 may include retaining the base plate in atransverse position relative to a second edge of the workpiece, whereinthe second edge is orthogonal to the first edge.

In an exemplary embodiment, method 700 may include additional steps ofguiding a portable drill with a drill guide. Optional step may furtherprovide steps of locating a drilling bit of the drill guide at apredetermined location on the surface of the workpiece; rotating thedrilling bit; and drilling a hole into the workpiece along a straightline. Optional steps may include the steps of inserting the at least oneguide rod through the first aperture defined on the fence; placing thebase plate on a top surface of the workpiece; placing a rear end of thefence on a side surface of the workpiece that is substantiallyperpendicular to the top surface of the workpiece; and positioning thefence at a distance away from the base plate via the at least one guiderod. Optional steps may include the steps of inserting the at least oneguide rod through the first aperture defined on the fence; placing thebase plate on a top surface of the workpiece; placing a front end of thefence on a side surface of the workpiece that is substantiallyperpendicular to the top surface of the workpiece; and positioning aportion of a top surface of the fence place adjacent to a bottom surfaceof a base plate when the fence is disposed beneath the base plate.Optional steps may include the steps of inserting the at least one guiderod through the first aperture defined on the fence; placing the baseplate on a top surface of the workpiece; placing a top end of the fenceon top surface of the workpiece; and positioning the fence at a distanceaway from the base plate via the at least one guide rod. Optional stepsmay include the steps of inserting the at least one guide rod though thesecond aperture defined on the fence; placing the base plate on a sidesurface of the workpiece; placing a top end of the fence on the topsurface of the workpiece; and positioning the fence at a distance awayfrom the base plate via the at least one guide rod. Optional steps mayinclude the steps of choosing to operably engage at least one extensionrod to a second wall of the base plate of the drill guide; operablyengaging at least one flip stop to the at least one extension roddisposed perpendicularly to the fence; positioning the fence at a firstdistance from the base plate via the at least one guide rod; andpositioning the at least one flip stop at a second distance from thebase plate via the at least on extension rod, wherein the seconddistance is greater than the first distance. Optional steps may includethe steps of choosing to operably engage at least one extension rod to asecond wall of the base plate of the drill guide; operably engaging afirst flip stop to the at least one extension rod disposedperpendicularly to the fence and disposed at a first distance from thebase plate; and operably engaging a second flip stop to the at least oneextension rod disposed perpendicularly to the fence and disposed at asecond distance from the base plate that is greater than the firstdistance of the first flip stop.

Various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, ofwhich an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of themethod may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments maybe constructed in which acts are performed in an order different thanillustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, eventhough shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustratedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision avariety of other means and/or structures for performing the functionand/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantagesdescribed herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications isdeemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments describedherein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations describedherein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters,dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon thespecific application or applications for which the inventive teachingsis/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able toascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalentsto the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is,therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presentedby way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claimsand equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventiveembodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individualfeature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein.In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent,is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

The articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and inthe claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should beunderstood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used hereinin the specification and in the claims (if at all), should be understoodto mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elementsthat are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively presentin other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should beconstrued in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements soconjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than theelements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used inconjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, inone embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B);in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements otherthan A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionallyincluding other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification andin the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as“and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list,“or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., theinclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a numberor list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Onlyterms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or“exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” willrefer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list ofelements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only beinterpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the otherbut not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,”“one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentiallyof,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used inthe field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “atleast one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should beunderstood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more ofthe elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including atleast one of each and every element specifically listed within the listof elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the listof elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally bepresent other than the elements specifically identified within the listof elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “atleast one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) canrefer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including morethan one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements otherthan B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally includingmore than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionallyincluding more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including morethan one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” anotherfeature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or elementor intervening features and/or elements may also be present. Incontrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directlyon” another feature or element, there are no intervening features orelements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature orelement is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” toanother feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached orcoupled to the other feature or element or intervening features orelements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element isreferred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or“directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are nointervening features or elements present. Although described or shownwith respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so describedor shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated bythose of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature thatis disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap orunderlie the adjacent feature.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”,“upper”, “above”, “behind”, “in front of”, and the like, may be usedherein for ease of description to describe one element or feature'srelationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in thefigures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms areintended to encompass different orientations of the device in use oroperation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Forexample, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as“under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented“over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under”can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may beotherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and thespatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”,“lateral”, “transverse”, “longitudinal”, and the like are used hereinfor the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicatedotherwise.

Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describevarious features/elements, these features/elements should not be limitedby these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms maybe used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element.Thus, a first feature/element discussed herein could be termed a secondfeature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussedherein could be termed a first feature/element without departing fromthe teachings of the present invention.

An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present disclosure.Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,”“some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” “an exemplaryembodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but notnecessarily all embodiments, of the invention. The various appearances“an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particularembodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or thelike, are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments.

If this specification states a component, feature, structure, orcharacteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particularcomponent, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to beincluded. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element,that does not mean there is only one of the element. If thespecification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does notpreclude there being more than one of the additional element.

As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in theexamples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may beread as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if theterm does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately”may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate thatthe value and/or position described is within a reasonable expectedrange of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may havea value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−1%of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (orrange of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10%of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical rangerecited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein.

Additionally, the method of performing the present disclosure may occurin a sequence different than those described herein. Accordingly, nosequence of the method should be read as a limitation unless explicitlystated. It is recognizable that performing some of the steps of themethod in a different order could achieve a similar result.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitionalphrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,”“containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are tobe understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limitedto. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consistingessentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases,respectively.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadlyconstrued.

Moreover, the description and illustration of various embodiments of thedisclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exactdetails shown or described.

What is claimed:
 1. A multipurpose tool, comprising: at least one guidecolumn having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end; atleast one tapered portion defined in the at least one guide column; afirst diameter defined at a first end of the at least one taperedportion proximate to the first end of the at least one guide column; asecond diameter defined at a second end of the at least one taperedportion proximate to the second end of the at least one guide column andthat is greater than the first diameter; and a depth stopper operablyengaged with the at least one guide column and the at least one taperedportion, wherein the depth stopper and the at least one tapered portionare adapted to stop movement of an associated component that is providedon the at least one guide column when the depth stopper and theassociated component move from the first end of the at least one taperedportion towards the second end of the at least one tapered portion. 2.The multipurpose tool of claim 1, wherein the at least one taperedportion enables self-tightening of the depth stopper about the at leastone guide column.
 3. The multipurpose tool of claim 2, wherein the depthstopper further comprises: a collar; a threaded side opening defined bythe collar; and a fastener operably engaged with the threaded sideopening and having an engaging end, wherein the engaging end of thefastener is adapted to operably engaged with the at least one taperedportion to enable the fastener to self-tighten the collar about the atleast one guide column.
 4. The multipurpose tool of claim 3, wherein thecollar of the depth stopper further comprises: a circumferential wall; atop surface defined by the circumferential wall; an opposing bottomsurface defined by the circumferential wall; and a central openingdefined by the circumferential wall extending between the top surfaceand the bottom surface, wherein the central opening is configured toreceive the at least one guide column.
 5. The multipurpose tool of claim4, wherein the central opening is in fluid communication with thethreaded side opening.
 6. The multipurpose tool of claim 5, wherein thedepth stopper is provided in a self-tightened position with the at leastone guide column when the engaging end is tightened to the at least onetapered portion and provided inside of the central opening.
 7. Themultipurpose tool of claim 5, wherein the depth stopper is provided in afreely movable position with the at least one guide column when theengaging end is loosened from the at least one tapered portion andprovided away from the central opening.
 8. The multipurpose tool ofclaim 1, wherein the diameter of the at least one tapered portionprogressively increases from the first diameter at the first end of theat least one guide column to the second diameter at the second end ofthe at least one guide column.
 9. The multipurpose tool of claim 1,wherein the depth stopper is selectively moveable along the at least onetapered portion between the first end of the at least one taperedportion and the second end of the at least one tapered portion forlimiting travel of the associated component operably engaged to the atleast one guide column.
 10. The multipurpose tool of claim 1, whereineach of the at least one guide column, the at least tapered portion, andthe depth stopper is provided on a hand tool.
 11. The multipurpose toolof claim 1, wherein each of the at least one guide column, the at leasttapered portion, and the depth stopper is provided on a woodworkingtool.
 12. The multipurpose tool of claim 1, wherein each of the at leastone guide column, the at least tapered portion, and the depth stopper isprovided on a portable drill guide.
 13. The multipurpose tool of claim1, further comprising: a base plate operably engaged with the at leastone guide column; and a chuck carrier operably engaged with the at leastone guide column and being linearly moveable relative to the base plate,wherein the chuck carrier is adapted to engage a portable drill.
 14. Themultipurpose tool of claim 13, wherein the linear movement of the chuckcarrier is limited via a position of the depth stopper with the at leastone tapered portion of the at least one guide column.
 15. Themultipurpose tool of claim 14, wherein the depth stopper is operablyengaged to the at least one tapered portion measured at a first distanceaway from the base plate.
 16. The multipurpose tool of claim 15, whereinthe depth stopper is operably engaged to the at least one taperedportion measured at a second, different distance away from the baseplate that is less than the first distance.
 17. The multipurpose tool ofclaim 13, further comprising: a second guide column operably engaged tothe base plate; and a biaser circumferentially disposed about the secondguide column, wherein the biaser is configured to bias the chuck carrierprovided on the second guide column in a predetermined direction. 18.The multipurpose tool of claim 13, further comprising at least one lockknob operably engaged with the at least one guide column, wherein the atleast lock knob is configured to limit the travel of the chuck carrier.19. A multipurpose tool, comprising: at least one guide column having afirst end and a second end opposite to the top end; at least one taperedportion defined in the at least one guide column; a first diameterdefined at a first end of the at least one tapered portion proximate tothe first end of the at least one guide column; a second diameterdefined at a second end of the at least one tapered portion proximate tothe second end of the at least one guide column and that is greater thanthe first diameter; and a depth stopper operably engaged with the atleast one guide column and the at least one tapered portion, wherein thedepth stopper and the at least one tapered portion are adapted to stopmovement of an associated component that is provided on the at least oneguide column when the depth stopper and the associated component movefrom the first end of the at least one tapered portion towards thesecond end of the at least one tapered portion; wherein the at least onetapered portion enables self-tightening of the depth stopper about theat least one guide column.